A business platform can provide access to applications and provide for the integration of resources with other applications, including internal and external applications, services and systems. A portal framework included within the platform can render portals including graphical user interfaces for displaying and receiving content that can be used by various applications. A portal framework can provide an interface to various resources such that information received and displayed by the portal framework can be exchanged with internal and external resources using standards-based transport protocols, messaging systems, and document types. An integration framework can be invoked to exchange this information among applications and services. An integration framework can provide access to resources by integrating the resources with an application server. The portal framework and integration framework can be implemented on an application server which can support enterprise applications. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Electronic commerce has established itself as a lasting and important component in the modern economy. For continued and long-term success, electronic commerce will require cross-enterprise collaborations among disparate resources including enterprise applications. To achieve cross-enterprise integration, a company must first integrate internal applications. To date, an integration solution that is easy to use, affordable, and based on industry wide standards has not been successfully established. No solution achieving an industry standard infrastrucutre with universal connectivity, massive scalability, and incorporating accessible business process tools has been developed.
Many companies have a need for platform solutions capable of fully integrating internal business processes that include multiple internal applications. These same companies also have a need for platform solutions capable of integrating internal applications with external services and applications including external business-to-consumer and business-to-business applications, such as applications that can utilize the Internet to generate revenue and reduce costs. The requirement for Internet-enabled applications has led to the rise of the application server market. To date, application servers have primarily been used to host external applications targeted at customers and partners. Application servers are themselves packaged applications that, instead of solving a specific problem, are general-purpose platforms that host vertical solutions.
Furthermore, many companies need an efficient solution for providing targeted presentations to consumers, partners, and employees in the form of user friendly interfaces. Integrating these interfaces with existing and future internal and external applications can further complicate attempts at successful, efficient, and reliable fully integrated business solutions.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


LED lamp has LEDs aimed rearwards with either a concave mirror to the rear of each LED, or one concave mirror to the rear of two or more LEDs, collecting the light from the LEDs to form a forward projecting beam. LEDs may be high power types that require heatsinking. LED lamp may have a lens forward of each LED to collimate the radiation produced by the LEDs into a beam, where at least one lens has at least one aspheric curved surface. LED lamp may have a transparent reflective optic to collimate the radiation produced by each LED into a beam. For an inspection lamp, the LEDs typically have a peak wavelength of 395 to 415 nanometers for seeing the area being irradiated but not so visible as to overwhelm fluorescence of fluorescent materials to be detected. Other wavelengths may be used. LED inspection lamp has a combination of LEDs of different wavelengths or a combination of at least one LED and at least one other light source such that the lamp produces radiation suitable for detection of materials to be detected and adequately illuminates the area being irradiated. LED lamp has LEDs that produce a beam of suitable radiation with a width of 10 degrees or less without additional optics. LED inspection lamp has head attached to a flexible member, with head serving as heatsink for one or more high power LEDs. Current regulator circuits are also disclosed.

LED lamps are known. For example, inspection lamps that cause fluorescence of fluorescent materials are widely used for detection of fluorescent materials. For example, fluids that are under pressure can include fluorescent dyes; so that, leaks of such fluids can be detected by illuminating the leaking fluids with such inspection lamps.
One common application of inspection lamps is detection of leaks of the refrigerant in automotive air conditioning systems. Fluorescent dyes that are mixed with the lubricant that is present in automotive air conditioning systems typically visibly fluoresce when illuminated with blue, violet or near-ultraviolet wavelengths. Inspection lamps that would be used for detecting leaks of such fluids would produce blue, violet or near-ultraviolet wavelengths.
In the past, such inspection lamps used incandescent, halogen, or mercury vapor light sources. Now that LEDs that produce the useful wavelengths are available, inspection lamps can be made that are smaller and lighter, have less power consumption, and produce less heat than inspection lamps without LEDs. Furthermore, inspection lamps with incandescent, halogen or mercury vapor light sources required filters to remove undesired visible wavelengths that interfere with seeing the fluorescence of visible materials, while LEDs often produce little enough of undesired wavelengths to not require filters.
It has been found that wavelengths in or near the range of 395-415 nanometers are useful for searching for small quantities of visibly fluorescent materials since wavelengths of 395-415 nanometers are slightly visible. If the light from an inspection lamp is slightly visible, this helps in seeing what is being irradiated with the inspection lamp. Wavelengths longer than 415 nanometers are more visible than shorter wavelengths and typically require the user of the inspection lamp to wear glasses that attenuate or block the visible wavelengths that are produced by the inspection lamp.
Alternatively, inspection lamps that produce wavelengths near 450 nanometers have been found to be useful for some purposes. For example, fluorescent dyes that are added to some oils and automotive fluids do not respond as well to violet and some near-ultraviolet wavelengths as they do to blue wavelengths. As another example, some body fluids weakly fluoresce from both ultraviolet and visible wavelengths, while many fabrics fluoresce from ultraviolet and violet wavelengths but not blue wavelengths longer than approx. 420 nanometers. As a result, police officers searching for body fluids would use blue inspection lamps that cause fluorescence of said body fluids but not of fluorescent fabrics. Typically, inspection lamps that produce blue wavelengths such as 450 nanometers would be used with glasses that block the visible wavelengths produced by such inspection lamps.
While LED lamps, such as LED inspection lamps, already exist, they can be improved upon.

LED lamps and LED driver circuits for the same


AAL2 (ATM Adaptation Layer 2) paths are dynamically established and/or released in an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) network/system. For purposes of example, during network operation a determination(s) may be made as to whether AAL2 mux (i.e., multiplexor(s) and/or demultiplexor(s)) resources are lacking and/or excessive relating to a particular AAL2 signaling relation(s). When AAL2 mux resources are determined as lacking for the AAL2 signaling relation, then at least one AAL2 mux is added to the relation. However, when AAL2 mux resources are determined as excessive for the AAL2 signaling relation, then at least one AAL2 mux is removed or dropped from the relation. AAL2 paths may be selectively and dynamically added and/or dropped from an AAL2 signaling relation in response to the above determinations. In such a manner, ATM resources can be preserved and not wasted thereby resulting in a more efficient ATM AAL2 system/network.

This invention relates to dynamic AAL2 path allocation/configuration in an ATM system/network. More particularly, certain embodiments of this invention relate to determining when to add and/or drop AAL2 mux(es) to/from an AAL2 signaling relation between two or more ATM nodes, and proceeding to add and/or drop AAL2 mux(es) based upon a result of such a determination.
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is becoming increasingly used in communication networks. ATM is a packet-oriented transfer mode which uses asynchronous time division multiplexing techniques. Packets are called cells and have a fixed size. See, for example, U.S. Ser. No. 09/188,347 (hereby incorporated herein by reference) for a description of certain aspects of ATM technology. See also WO 99/33316, which corresponds to Ser. No. 09/188,347 in certain respects.
As shown in FIG. 1, an ATM cell typically includes or consists of 53 octets, five of which may form a header and forty eight of which may constitute a xe2x80x9cpayloadxe2x80x9d or information portion of the cell. The header of the ATM cell includes two quantities which are used to identify a connection in an ATM network over which the cell is to travel, particularly the VPI (Virtual Path Identifier) and VCI (Virtual Channel Identifier). In general, the virtual path is a principal path defined between two switching nodes of the network; while the virtual channel is one specific connection on a respective principal path. Compressed voice (e.g., cellular telecommunications systems) is an application to which ATM (and AAL2 below) is well adapted and used in.
Between termination points of an ATM network a plurality of nodes are typically situated, such as ATM switching nodes having ports which are connected together by physical transmission paths or links. The switching nodes each typically have several functional parts, a primary of which is an ATM switch core. The switch core essentially functions like a cross-connect between ports of the switch. Paths internal to the switch core are selectively controlled so that particular ports of the switch are connected together to allow a cells ultimately to travel from an ingress side of the switch to an egress side of the switch.
A protocol reference model has been developed for illustrating layering of ATM. The protocol reference model layers include (from lower to higher layers) a physical layer (including both a physical medium sublayer and a transmission convergence sublayer), an ATM layer, an ATM adaptation layer (AAL), and higher layers. The basic purpose of the AAL layer is to isolate the higher layers from specific characteristics of the ATM layer by mapping the higher-layer protocol data units (PDU) into the information field of the ATM cell and vise versa. There are several differing AAL types or categories, including AAL0, AAL1, AAL2, AAL3/4, and AAL5.
AAL2 is a standard defined by ITU recommendation I.363.2 (hereby incorporated herein by reference). An AAL2 packet is shown in FIG. 2 as comprising a three octet packet header, as well as a packet payload. The AAL2 packet header includes, for example, an eight bit channel identifier (CID), a six bit length indicator (LI), a five bit User-to-User indicator (UUI), and five bits of header error control (HEC). The AAL2 packet payload, which carries user data, can vary from one to forty-five octets. AAL2 uses ATM virtual connections (VCs) in the ATM layer in such a way that several AAL2 connections can be multiplexed on an ATM VC. The ATM VC is often referred to as an AAL2 path, and each AAL2 connection in the AAL2 path is identified with a channel identifier (CID).
FIG. 3 shows how plural AAL2 packets can be inserted into a standard ATM cell (i.e., multiplexing). In particular, FIG. 3 shows a first ATM cell 201 and a second ATM cell 202. Each ATM cell 20 has a header 22 (e.g., cell 201 has header 221 and cell 202 has header 222). The payload of the ATM cells 20 begin with a start field 24 (e.g., cell 201 has start field 241 and cell 202 has start field 242). After each start field 24, the ATM cell payload contains AAL2 packets. For example, the payload of ATM cell 201 contains AAL2 packets 261 and 262 in their entirety, as well as a portion of AAL2 packet 263. The payload of cell 202 contains the rest of AAL2 packet 263, and AAL2 packets 264 and 265 in their entirety. In addition, the payload of cell 202 may include padding 28.
FIG. 3A illustrates another example of AAL2 multiplexing. The CID in the AAL2 packets provide for multiplexing up to 248 AAL2 connections in a single ATM VCC (virtual channel connection). Thus, AAL2 packets from several AAL2 connections can be multiplexed inside the payload of ATM cells of the ATM link as illustrated in FIG. 3A. FIGS. 3A is similar to FIG. 3 in this regard.
The start field 24, shown in FIG. 3B, facilitates one AAL2 packet bridging two ATM cells as shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A. Start field 24 may for example include a six bit offset field (OSF), a one bit sequence number (SN), and one parity bit (P). The six bit offset field (OSF) may contain a value, represented by offset displacement 29 in FIG. 3, indicative of the octet in the payload whereat the first full AAL2 packet begins. For ATM cell 201, the value of the offset field (OSF) is one, since AAL2 packet starts just after start field 241. For ATM cell 202, the value of the offset field (OSF) is one (in view of start field 24) plus the number of octets of AAL2 packet 263 protruding into cell 202.
As can be seen, AAL2 advantageously allows multiplexing of data from many users within a single ATM VCC. In such multiplexing scheme, each user""s data is typically carried in a separate AAL2 packet, but AAL2 packets of differing users may be carried in the same ATM cells or cells borne on the same ATM VC. Thus, assuming each user has a different channel identifier (CID) value, as many as 248 user channels can be multiplexed onto one ATM VC. AAL2 thus allows more efficient utilization of low speed links than standard ATM while still maintaining low delay properties.
Q.2630.1 (hereby incorporated herein by reference) is an AAL2 signaling standard for setting up and releasing switched AAL2 connections between nodes in an AAL2 network. Signaling between two nodes is handled by a pair of peer AAL2 signaling entities that interwork in an AAL2 signaling relation. The AAL2 capacity of an AAL2 signaling relation includes the group of AAL2 paths and their associated peer AAL2 multiplexor(s)/demultiplexor(s) that are allocated to the relation. Hereinafter, the term xe2x80x9cAAL2 muxxe2x80x9d is used to denote or mean AAL2 multiplexor and/or AAL2 demultiplexor throughout this patent.
Conventionally, AAL2 paths are established by management operations. Grouping of AAL2 paths to AAL2 signaling relations is also typically handled by management operations. This means that if the AAL2 capacity need for an AAL2 signaling relation changes, an AAL2 path must be setup/released and added/deleted from the AAL2 signaling relation by such management operations.
Unfortunately, needed and/or required AAL2 capacity in an AAL2 signaling relation is often difficult to predict as it can vary significantly over time as a function of many things. This is problematic as management predictions regarding AAL2 capacity are often incorrect or off-mark, which can result is valuable resources being unduly wasted.
In accordance with certain embodiments of this invention, AAL2 paths are dynamically established and/or released in an ATM network/system. For purposes of example, during network operation a determination(s) may be made as to whether AAL2 mux resources are lacking and/or excessive relating to a particular AAL2 signaling relation(s). When AAL2 mux resources are determined as lacking for the AAL2 signaling relation, then at least one AAL2 mux is added to the relation. However, when AAL2 mux resources are determined as excessive for the AAL2 signaling relation, then at least one AAL2 mux is removed or dropped from the relation. AAL2 paths may be selectively and dynamically added and/or dropped from an AAL2 signaling relation in response to the above determinations. In such a manner, ATM resources can be preserved and not wasted thereby resulting in a more efficient ATM AAL2 system/network.

Dynamic AAL2 path configuration in ATM system


A coupling device for an orthopedic brace includes an anchoring member for securing to a frame and protruding therefrom, and a subshell arranged to connect to the frame by the anchoring member. The subshell has a locking element for selectively positioning the subshell on the frame at a plurality of locations. The subshell may include an end portion or contoured edge extending beyond a portion of the frame so as to flex relative to the frame.

Orthopedic braces comprise a broad range of structures and devices used for supporting or stabilizing a joint when worn on the body of a user. Orthopedic braces may serve in either preventative or remedial roles. In the preventative role, the brace can provide additional support, stability and protection to a healthy joint so as to prevent or minimize injury to the joint due to undue stress. On the other hand, in the remedial role, the brace can support and strengthen a weakened joint due to injury or infirmity, and thereby reinforce the joint to prevent further injury, or correct or assist the infirmity.
Typically, orthopedic braces include a frame that comprises at least one support member. When there are multiple support members, the brace may include rotational hinges that assist and control movement of the limb. Suitable straps may be used to maintain the brace on the limb, and other features such as pads may be used to relieve pressure of the brace on the limb and surrounding areas.
A predominant type of orthopedic brace is a knee brace. Knee braces are used to stabilize the knee by preventing excessive movement of the knee, or to facilitate movement of the knee. Many braces comprise a frame and have hinges located on at least one of the lateral and medial sides of the knee joint. Straps are used to secure the brace to the leg or knee. An injured knee can be fit with an "off the shelf" brace or a "custom-fit" brace, with the selection of the type of brace depending on the size and shape of an individual's leg.
Many knee braces are designed to reduce knee instability following an injury, fatigue or to treat impairment of the knee, particularly if the knee has damaged ligaments. Braces may be recommended for walking, skiing, running, twisting, pivoting, or jumping activities. In addition to providing increased stability to the knee, braces may also decrease the risk of injuring the knee or leg, or provide corrective assistance to the knee.
In order to maximize its supportive, protective and comfort aspects, it is desirable that a knee brace securely and precisely fit the leg of the wearer. While custom-fit braces are made to closely conform to the exact geometry of a leg of a wearer, it is common for the geometry of the leg to change over time thereby requiring even a custom-fit to be able to accommodate a variety of geometries of the leg. As for off-the-shelf braces, these braces must be configurable to generally accommodate a variety of leg geometries irrespective of the particular geometry of a leg.
In recognizing the need for effective knee braces, various knee braces have been introduced into the marketplace. Such knee braces, however, have generally comprised relatively heavy, bulky apparatuses that fail to provide ventilation and evenly distribute pressure from the brace on the leg of the wearer. Moreover, many contemporary braces are deficient in that the braces are constructed in a manner that do not consistently provide or lack adjustment features for forming a firm, comfortable and secure interface between the leg and knee of the wearer and the brace. As a result of these drawbacks, many knee braces detract from the user's endeavor.
The features of the embodiments described herein are provided in recognition of the need for orthopedic braces and components for use therewith that are adjustable in both custom-fit and off-the-shelf braces so as to achieve superior functional performance characteristics while being comfortable to the wearer when worn. This recognition is realized with the invention described hereinafter.

Configurable subshell components in orthopedic devices


Foldable touch screen display devices with a flexible display unit made up of segments that can be reconfigured from a compact state to an expanded state Which includes a modular rigid display that may he attached to the flexible display unit. The form factor of the compact state is roughly the size of a typical handheld phone or smaller. The form factor of the expanded state is roughly the size of a larger phone or tablet computer. A third state whereby the attached rigid display is folded. out such that its top surface is aligned with the top surface of the unfolded flexible display, may provide the use of both displays simultaneously. All folded states may include an integrated speaker and microphone. A module, coupled to at least one segment of the flexible display or the rigid display, includes a communications system, which may be used in any state.

The use of handheld computing devices today has been significantly enabled by a number of advancements in electronics, including the miniaturization of components, an increase in processing speeds, improved memory capacity, and the optimization of battery efficiency. Advancements in touch screen display technology have also enabled interfaces to become more adaptable and intuitive to use on a small scale. Because of these enormous improvements over the last decade, the differences in the performance between handheld computing devices, such as mobile phones, and larger computing devices, have become increasingly subtle.
One of the great difficulties in using a small-scale touch screen device, however, is in the fact that it can often be cumbersome to physically interact with. This is especially apparent when selecting and manipulating features and inputting text, which can sometimes be imprecise for a user. Additionally, in such handheld computing devices as a touch screen mobile phone, the limited size of the display can significantly reduce the viewing capacity while watching videos, using graphic-intensive applications, and reading text. The rigid nature of a standard touch screen display can also limit the portability of a device when its form factor is on the larger size range for a phone, or at the scale of a tablet, which makes folding a desirable feature.
There is therefore a need for touch screen displays having increased size without sacrificing the convenience of a small device

Flexible display devices with a modular rigid display


A system and method for monitoring qualities of teaching and learning are provided. The system includes at least one receiving interface, a processor, and an output apparatus, wherein the processor is electrically connected to the at least one receiving interface and the output apparatus. The at least one receiving interface receives at least one digital image. The processor identifies at least one facial message from the at least one digital image, identifies at least one body message from the at least one digital image, and determines at least one teaching and learning quality index according to the at least one facial message and the at least one body message. The output apparatus outputs the at least one facial message, the at least one body message, and the at least one teaching and learning quality index.

With the advancement of network technology and the coming of digital age, various network-based teaching models have emerged, such as live broadcast teaching and online teaching. Live broadcast teaching is also known as distance teaching, which instantly transmits the video and audio of a class to screens in classrooms or computers of students by holding a web conference. In this way, teachers and students can be in the same class without being at the same place. As for online teaching, all teaching materials are uploaded to a system platform so that students can select suitable material(s) to watch or listen after logging in the system platform.
Some of the conventional live broadcast teaching techniques have been able to return the images of the classroom or the students for teachers' reference. Usually, the returned images are from several places and contain several students' image. It is difficult for a teacher to interpret the returned images in a short time and, therefore, it is impossible for a teacher to timely (or even immediately) grasp the learning status of the students. In addition, most of the conventional online teaching platforms are unidirectional and, therefore, a teacher is unable to timely (or even immediately) learn the learning status of the students (for example, the learning outcomes, the gaze concentration, or even accurately watching). Most of the conventional online teaching platforms determine the learning outcomes of the students by giving post-class tests or questionnaires and, thus, it is impossible for teachers to timely (or even immediately) adjust the content of courses or the way of teaching courses.
To solve the aforesaid problems, there is a need for a technology that can timely (or even immediately) analyze and monitor the learning status of students so that teachers can timely (or even immediately) grasp the learning status of each of the students.

System and method for monitoring qualities of teaching and learning


A data processing machine is provided with a microprocessor that functions in response to signals output by a clock oscillator to selectively change the data-processing speed of the microprocessor. The data processing machine contains a circuit for generating interruption signals at specific intervals by dividing the signals output by the clock oscillator, a signal-input device for inputting command signals that cause the microprocessor to change the data-processing speed, and a controller which, in response to signals from the input device, executes a stand-by process each time a specific number of interruption signals generated by the interruption signal generating circuit is received.

The present invention relates to a data processing device provided with a microprocessor that functions in response to signals produced by a clock oscillator to change the data-processing speed of the microprocessor. When a high-speed processor incorporating a microprocessor is used with electronic game software programs that have been designed for use with a low-speed processor, the execution keys are normally unable to operate quickly enough to match the game's movements. Key-input operation cannot be properly executed because the stand-by time for key-input operation is too short. To compensate for this, conventionally, a variety of systems are made available for changing the clock frequency of the microprocessor. However, this makes the hardware rather expensive.

Data processing machine with interrupt control for varying processing speed


A multilayer printed wiring board in which interlayer insulation layer and conductive layer are formed on a multilayer core substrate composed of three or more layers, having through holes for connecting the front surface with the rear surface and conductive layers on the front and rear surfaces and conductive layer in the inner layer to achieve electric connection through via holes, the through holes being composed of power source through holes, grounding through holes and signal through holes connected electrically to a power source circuit or a grounding circuit or a signal circuit of an IC chip, when the power source through holes pass through the grounding conductive layer of the inner layer in the core substrate, of the power source through holes, at least a power source through hole just below the IC having no conductive circuit extending from the power source through hole in the grounding conductive layer.

In forming a buildup type multilayer printed wiring board constituting an IC chip package, interlayer insulating resin is formed on one of or each of the surfaces of a core substrate having through holes formed therein and via holes for interlayer conduction are opened by a laser or photo etching, whereby an interlayer resin insulating layer is thereby formed. A conductor layer is formed on the via holes by plating or the like and etching and the like are performed to form a pattern, thus creating a conductor circuit. Further, by repeatedly forming the interlayer insulating layer and the conductor layer, the buildup multilayer printed wiring board is obtained. By forming solder bumps and external terminals (PGA/BGA's or the like) on the front layer of the board at need, the board becomes a substrate capable of mounting an IC chip thereon or a package substrate. The IC chip is C4 (flip-chip) mounted, whereby the IC chip is electrically connected to the substrate.
As prior art of the buildup type multilayer printed wiring board, there are known JP 6-260756A and JP 6-275959A. In both of the publications, a land is formed on a core substrate having through holes filled with resin filler, interlayer insulating layers having via holes formed therein are provided on the both surfaces of the substrate, respectively, a conductor layer is formed by an additive method and the conductor layer is connected to the land, thereby obtaining a high density multilayer wiring board having fine wirings formed thereon.


A routing apparatus comprises a resource management unit holding resource management information for managing a state of use of a communication resource in another routing apparatus that can be an adjacent routing apparatus transferred a packet data. When packet data for a reservation request is received, a determining unit determines the adjacent routing apparatus on the basis of destination information given to the packet data and the resource management information in the resource management unit to control a routing (packet transfer). A routing process at the time of reception of a request for reserving a resource (communication resource) is performed in consideration of a state of use of a resource in the adjacent routing apparatus, thereby preventing a wasteful routing at the time of resource reservation.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a routing apparatus and a routing method, in particular, to a routing apparatus and a routing method suitable for use when it is necessary to reserve a resource (for example, a resource relating to a communication such as a bandwidth and the like) at the time of communication in a communication network performing TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) communication.
(2) Description of the Related Art
In order to furnish services strict with delay [for example, VOD (Video On Demand), voice service and the like] using IP over the Internet, it is necessary to secure a resource (bandwidth, mainly) for the communication service. To cope with it, there is a protocol for reserving a resource called RSVP (Resource Reservation Protocol) defined by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force).
RSVP is a technique for securing a predetermined necessary bandwidth for a session (connection) established between a sender and a receiver of data (packet) in TCP/IP layer and assign it [guaranteeing predetermined QoS (Quality of Service)]. However, RSVP itself does not have a routing protocol. For this, an existing protocol is used in a routing (destination determining) process on data by a routing apparatus [namely, a so-called IP router or an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) switch or the like having a function equivalent to that of the IP router].
Namely, in terms of packet data for RSVP such as an RSVP message (request for securing a resource) or the like, the existing routing apparatus (routing method) determines the next packet transfer target (adjacent routing apparatus; route) on the basis of only an IP address given to the packet data, and performs a packet transferring process, like other ordinary packet data.
Since such the known routing apparatus (routing method) performs a routing on the basis of only an IP address, there is possibility of trying a routing for an RSVP message to an apparatus in which a bandwidth cannot be secured (or is hardly secured). A reason of this is that the present IP is designed for a dynamic, best effort apparatus (a network configured on the basis of a theory that guarantees a necessary bandwidth for a communication when there is a margin in the bandwidth, but does not guarantee when there is not a margin), and does not possess a function of considering a state of use of a resource (for example, an idle bandwidth in the case of bandwidth) in another apparatus that can be the next packet transfer target (adjacent routing apparatus).
For this, there is a possibility of frequently performing a routing to an apparatus in which a bandwidth requested by an RSVP message cannot be secured (or is hardly secured) in the above routing apparatus. In consequence, a resource (a rate of use of CPU or the like) in the network is wastefully consumed so that loss might be generated. As a result, there is a possibility of degrading serviceability such that a service (VOD service or the like) requested by the user cannot be provided.
In the light of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a routing apparatus and a routing method, in which a routing process is performed in consideration of a state of use of a resource in the adjacent routing apparatus when a request for reserving a resource (communication resource) is received, whereby a wasteful routing is prevented at the time of resource reservation.
The present invention therefore provides a routing apparatus comprising a routing controlling unit for controlling transfer of a received packet data to an adjacent routing apparatus on a basis of destination information of the packet data, a first resource management unit for managing resource management information regarding communication resource in another routing apparatus that can be the adjacent routing apparatus, and a first determining unit for securing a communication resource upon receiving a packet data for a reservation request, and determining the adjacent routing apparatus on the basis of destination information given to the packet data and the resource management information.
The above first resource management unit may hold at least information in which routing information on another routing apparatus that can be the adjacent routing apparatus and use state information on the communication resource in the same are corresponded to each other as the resource management information. In such case, it is desirable that the above first determining unit is configured as a routing determining unit for reservation request for determining routing information for another routing apparatus in which a communication resource according to the packet data for a reservation request can be secured as routing information for the adjacent routing apparatus on the basis of the use state information, and the routing controlling unit controls the routing on the basis of the routing information determined by the reservation request routing determining unit.
The present invention also provides a routing method used in a communication network in which a plurality of routing apparatuses each handling packet data for a desired communication service comprising the steps of receiving a packet data for a communication resource reservation request; and carrying out a routing process for transferring the reservation request to a adjacent routing apparatus in consideration of at least a state of use of a communication resource in another routing apparatus that can be the adjacent routing apparatus.
According to the routing apparatus and the routing method of this invention, it is possible to perform a routing in consideration of at least a state of use of a communication resource in another routing apparatus that can be the adjacent routing apparatus when a reservation request for reserving use of a communication resource required to implement a desired communication service is received. It is therefore possible to largely decrease a possibility of performing a wasteful routing process to a routing apparatus in which a communication resource according to the above reservation request cannot be secured or is hardly secured, so that the communication resource is effectively used.
The above routing controlling unit may include a first resource management information creating/updating unit for creating or updating the resource management information on the basis of a record of securing a communication resource in another routing apparatus that was once the adjacent routing apparatus for past packet data for a reservation request.
It is thereby possible to automatically hold information on a recent state of use of a communication resource in another routing apparatus, thus easily grasp the recent state of use of a communication resource in the same.
The first resource management information creating/updating unit may comprise a first timer unit for measuring a first predetermined period from when the resource management information is created, a first information confirming unit for confirming whether or not resource management information held longer than the predetermined period exists in the first resource management unit on the basis of time-measuring information of the first timer unit, and a first information deleting unit for deleting resource management information in the first resource management unit when the first information confirming unit confirms that the resource management information held longer than the first predetermined period exists in the first resource management unit.
As above, the created resource management information is held for a predetermined period. When a similar reservation request is received within the predetermined period, a routing for the reservation request is performed on the basis of the created resource management information, so that a load of the routing is decreased, and a memory quantity required to hold information is decreased.
The above first resource management information creating/updating unit may comprise a first monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not a communication resource according to the packet data for a reservation request can be secured in the adjacent routing apparatus, a second information confirming unit for confirming whether or not resource management information corresponding to the adjacent routing apparatus exists in the first resource management unit when the first monitoring unit confirms that the communication resource cannot be secured in the adjacent routing apparatus, and a second information deleting unit for deleting the resource management information in the first resource management unit when the second information confirming unit confirms that the resource management information corresponding to the adjacent routing apparatus in which the communication resource cannot be secured exists.
When a communication resource according to the above reservation request cannot be secured in the adjacent routing apparatus, resource management information on that apparatus can be deleted. It is therefore possible to prevent an increase of a memory quantity because of holding unnecessary resource management information, and prevent an erroneous determination on the adjacent routing apparatus.
The present invention still also provides a routing apparatus comprising an interconnection controlling unit for controlling an interconnection to transfer a received packet data to an adjacent routing apparatus on the basis of destination information of the packet data, a second resource management unit for managing resource management information regarding a communication resource in another routing apparatus that can be the adjacent routing apparatus, and a second determining unit for securing a communication resource according to a reservation request upon receiving a packet data for the reservation request, and determining the adjacent routing apparatus on the basis of destination information given to the packet data and the resource management information.
The above second resource management unit may hold at least information in which interconnection information on another routing apparatus that can be the adjacent routing apparatus and use state information on a communication resource in the same are corresponded to each other as the resource management information. In such case, it is desirable that the above second determining unit is configured as a connection determining unit for reservation request for determining interconnection information for another routing apparatus in which a communication resource according to the packet data for a reservation request can be secured as interconnection information for the adjacent routing apparatus on the basis of the use state information, and the above interconnection controlling unit controls the interconnection on the basis of the interconnection information determined by the connection determining unit, for reservation request.
The routing apparatus according to this invention can control an interconnection for a reservation request in consideration of a state of use of a communication resource in another routing apparatus that can be the adjacent routing apparatus. It is therefore possible to ensure a sufficient service quality to a communication service strict with delay, and prevent a wasteful routing.
The above interconnection controlling unit may comprise an interconnection confirming unit for confirming whether or not the interconnection for the adjacent routing apparatus determined by the second determining unit is already secured, and an interconnection assigning unit for assigning the interconnection to a packet transferring process when the interconnection confirming unit confirms that the interconnection is already secured.
As above, when an interconnection for the adjacent routing apparatus is already secured, the interconnection already secured can be used in the packet transferring process. It is thereby possible to decrease a degree of necessity of securing a new interconnection each time a reservation request is received, thus largely contribute to a decrease a processing load of this routing apparatus.
The above interconnection controlling unit may comprise a second resource management information creating/updating unit for creating or updating the resource management information on the basis of a record of securing a communication resource in another routing apparatus that was once the adjacent routing apparatus for past packet data for a reservation request.
Accordingly, it is possible to create or update resource management information on another apparatus that was once the adjacent routing apparatus by a past reservation request on the basis of a record of securing a communication resource in the same. Therefore, information on a recent state of use of a communication resource in another routing apparatus can be automatically held, and a recent state of use of the communication resource in another routing apparatus can be readily grasped.
The above interconnection controlling unit may comprise a second timer unit for measuring a second predetermined period from when an interconnection for the packet data for a reservation request is established, an interconnection continuative securing unit for continuing securement of the interconnection until the second predetermined period is elapsed in the second timer unit, and an interconnection releasing unit for releasing the interconnection when the second predetermined period is elapsed in the second timer unit. In such case, the above second resource management information creating/updating unit may comprise a third information deleting unit for deleting created resource management information on the adjacent routing apparatus corresponding to the interconnection released by the interconnection releasing unit in the second resource management unit.
As above, an interconnection once secured is held for a predetermined period (second predetermined period). It is therefore possible to decrease necessity of securing an interconnection each time a reservation request is received, and it is unnecessary to continuously secure a wasteful interconnection. Accordingly, a load of the interconnection control can be further decreased, and the communication resource can be effectively used.
The above second resource management information creating/updating unit may comprise a second monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not a communication resource according to the packet data for a reservation request can be secured in the adjacent routing apparatus, a third information confirming unit for confirming whether or not resource management information on the adjacent routing apparatus exists in the second resource management unit when the second monitoring unit confirms that the communication resource cannot be secured in the adjacent routing apparatus, and a fourth information deleting unit for deleting the resource management information in the second resource management unit when the third information confirming unit confirms that the resource management information on the adjacent routing apparatus in which the communication resource cannot be secured exists in the second resource management unit.
When a communication resource according to the above reservation request cannot be secured in the adjacent routing apparatus, resource information on that routing apparatus can be deleted. It is therefore possible to prevent an increase of a memory quantity because of holding unnecessary resource management information, and an erroneous determination on the adjacent routing apparatus.
When the above communication resource is a bandwidth, it is possible to perform a routing process (or an interconnection control) in consideration of a state of use of a bandwidth in another routing apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to largely lessen probability of performing a routing to an apparatus in which a bandwidth cannot be secured (or is hardly secured) in response to a reservation request, thus certainly prevent a wasteful routing (an interconnection control) from being performed.


A flowsleeve of a turbomachine component is provided. The flowsleeve includes an annular body including an upstream casing and a downstream casing. The upstream casing defines a fuel feed, and the downstream casing defines an airway opening, and a premixing passage. The premixing passage is fluidly coupled to the fuel feed and the airway opening and has a passage interior in which fuel and air receivable from the fuel feed and the airway opening, respectively, are combinable to form a fuel and air mixture.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a flowsleeve of a turbomachine component.
A turbomachine, such as a gas turbine engine, may include a compressor, a combustor and a turbine. The compressor compresses inlet air and the combustor combusts the compressed inlet air along with fuel to produce a fluid flow of high temperature fluids. Those high temperature fluids are directed to the turbine where the energy of the high temperature fluids is converted into mechanical energy that can be used to generate power and/or electricity. The turbine is formed to define an annular pathway through which the high temperature fluids pass.
Often, the combustion occurring within the combustor produces pollutants and other undesirable products, such as oxides of nitrogen (NOx), which are exhausted into the atmosphere from the turbine. Recently, however, efforts have been undertaken to reduce the production of such pollutants. These efforts have included the introduction of axially staging fuel injection within the combustor and/or other types of late lean injection (LLI) systems.


A method of implanting ions into a workpiece without the formation of junctions, which impact the performance of the workpiece, is disclosed. To counteract the effect of dopant being implanted into the edge of the workpiece, components made of material having an opposite conductivity are placed near the workpiece. As ions from the beam strike these components, ions from the material are sputtered. These ions have the opposite conductivity as the implanted ions, and therefore inhibit the formation of junctions.

Solar cells and other devices may be created through the use of ion implanters. These ion implanters are used to introduce dopants into portions of the workpiece to create an electrically conductive region.
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a conventional ion implanter 100. Of course, many different ion implanters may be used. The conventional ion implanter may comprise an ion source 102 that may be biased by a power supply 101. The system may be controlled by controller 120. The operator communicates with the controller 120 via user interface system 122. The ion source 102 is typically contained in a vacuum chamber known as a source housing (not shown). The ion implanter system 100 may also comprise a series of beam-line components through which ions 10 pass. The series of beam-line components may include, for example, extraction electrodes 104, a 90° magnet analyzer 106, a first deceleration (D1) stage 108, a 70° magnet collimator 110, and a second deceleration (D2) stage 112. Much like a series of optical lenses that manipulate a light beam, the beam-line components can manipulate and focus the ion beam 10 before steering it towards a workpiece or wafer 114, which is disposed on a workpiece support 116.
In operation, a workpiece handling robot (not shown) disposes the workpiece 114 on the workpiece support 116 that can be moved in one or more dimensions (e.g., translate, rotate, and tilt) by an apparatus, sometimes referred to as a "roplat" (not shown). Meanwhile, ions are generated in the ion source 102 and extracted by the extraction electrodes 104. The extracted ions 10 travel in a beam-like state along the beam-line components and implanted on the workpiece 114. After implanting ions is completed, the workpiece handling robot may remove the workpiece 114 from the workpiece support 116 and from the ion implanter 100.
During the ion implant process, the ions typically implant not only the desired face of the workpiece, but also the edges of the work piece 114. The implanted ions at the edge of the workpiece 114 may form a junction, upon activation of the implant. This edge junction may be undesirable, and may cause yield issues, such as shunting of solar cells.
This formation of a junction along the edge of a workpiece 114 may be due to several phenomenons. One possible cause is imperfect ion beam collimation, which may cause the ion beam to diverge more than desired, causing ions to strike unintended areas. Another possible cause is back-sputtering of material from surfaces around and behind the workpiece 114. For example, the material sputtered may be conductive, such as aluminum and create a short circuit from the top surface of the workpiece 114 to the bottom surface. In other embodiments, a non-contaminating material, such as graphite, is used for the material near the workpiece. While graphite does not cause a shunt, it does not help in preventing junctions caused by divergent ion beams. Furthermore, this problem is exacerbated in the case of solar cells, where the workpiece, after being processed, is not cut or divided into smaller portions, as is routinely done with integrated circuits.
Therefore, it would be beneficial if there existed a system and method for implanting ions into a workpiece, and more particularly, a solar cell, without creating shunts along the edge of the workpiece.

Method for junction avoidance on edge of workpieces

Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.


A memory device includes a memory die containing memory elements, a support die containing peripheral devices and bonded to the memory die, and an electrically conductive path between two of the peripheral devices which extends at least partially through the memory die. The electrically conductive path is electrically isolated from the memory elements.

Three-dimensional vertical NAND strings having one bit per cell are disclosed in an article by T. Endoh et al., titled "Novel Ultra High Density Memory With A Stacked-Surrounding Gate Transistor (S-SGT) Structured Cell", IEDM Proc. (2001) 33-36. Support circuitry is required to perform write, read, and erase operations of the memory cells in the vertical NAND strings. The support circuitry can be provided by forming complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices on a same substrate as the three-dimensional memory device. Alternatively, the support circuitry can be provided in a support die that is bonded to a memory die including a three-dimensional memory device.

Three-dimensional memory device with logic signal routing through a memory die and methods of making the same


The present disclosure relates generally to compositions that comprise citrulline and leucine or a metabolite thereof including, for example, a synergistic amount of citrulline and leucine. Such compositions may be used in methods for the treatment of metabolic syndrome, hyperglycemia, and/or hyperinsulinemia.

The present disclosure generally relates to methods and compositions for treatment or prevention of pre-diabetes, diabetes, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and metabolic syndrome. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to compositions that comprise a synergistic amount of both citrulline and leucine.
Insulin resistance is associated with a number of disease states and conditions and is present in approximately 30-40% of non-diabetic individuals. These disease states and conditions include, but are not limited to, pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome (also referred to as insulin resistance syndrome). Pre-diabetes is a state of abnormal glucose tolerance characterized by either impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Patients with pre-diabetes are insulin resistant and are at high risk for future progression to overt Type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is an associated cluster of traits that include, but is not limited to, hyperinsulinemia, abnormal glucose tolerance, obesity, redistribution of fat to the abdominal or upper body compartment, hypertension, dysfibrinolysis, and a dyslipidemia characterized by high triglycerides, low HDL-cholesterol, and small dense LDL particles. Insulin resistance has been linked to each of the traits, suggesting metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance are intimately related to one another.

Compositions comprising citrulline and leucine and their use in the treatment of diabetes and metabolic syndrome


A centering fixture for centering a wafer on a chuck is provided. The centering fixture includes a body including an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner periphery and an outer periphery. A chuck seat is positioned in a lower portion of the inner periphery and configured to mate the body with the chuck. A wafer seat is positioned in an upper portion of the inner periphery above the chuck seat, the wafer seat configured to receive and center the wafer on the chuck. The centering fixture ensures centering of the wafer relative to the chuck for automated handling system calibration. The wafer, body, chuck, chuck seat and wafer seat can be circular.

The present disclosure relates to semiconductor fabrication, and more specifically, to a centering fixture for an electrostatic chuck system and method of training an automated handling system.
In semiconductor wafer fabrication, each wafer is transported between a large variety of semiconductor processing systems to conduct different fabrication processes on a wafer. The tasks carried out by each chamber can vary, e.g., deposition, etching, etc. Wafers are moved by automated handlers within and between processing systems. The automated handlers pick up the wafers from one processing system, and move them to a next processing system or within a processing system.
Certain processing systems include a task specific chamber that includes an electrostatic chuck (ESC) system to hold the wafer in a desired location. An ESC system may include a chuck or platen that can be electrostatically charged to hold a wafer in position on the chuck. The chuck may be circular or another shape. In addition, an ESC system includes a set of retractable lift pins upon which a wafer is positioned by an automated handler in a centered fashion relative to the chuck. A wafer that is centered on a respective ESC system in a processing chamber is in an ideal position for accurate and repeatable processing by the particular processing system.
Automated handlers include a carrier arm that carries the wafer and positions it on the set of retractable lift pins in a centered fashion relative to the chuck during entry of the wafer to the respective processing system. Retraction of the lift pins positions the wafer in a centered position on the chuck. Regardless of the processing system, it is important that the wafer is located within the processing system relative to its respective ESC system in a precise and repeatable centered manner so that the subsequent processing can be performed in a repeatable fashion, e.g., uniformly etching the wafer. In order to achieve this precision and repeatability, each automated handling system and, in particular, an aligner system thereof, is calibrated to position the carrier arm of the automated handler such that the wafer is centered relative to the chuck. That is, the aligner system is taught to know the centered location for a wafer relative to the chuck for future reference and use in placing wafers to be processed by the particular system.
One challenge relative to automated handling system calibration is centering the wafer within a particular processing system relative to the chuck. Conventionally, during calibration, a wafer is placed on the chuck within a selected processing system and is visually centered by a user. The aligner system is then calibrated (taught) based on the visual centering. Human variation can adversely impact the calibration.

Centering fixture for electrostatic chuck system


A shock absorber, for use with headgear having a faceguard, has a sliding member that does not extend beyond the support structure of the shock absorber in a way that would leave it vulnerable to damage. A headgear having a faceguard provides a protected mounting location for mounting a shock absorber for the faceguard.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to headgear having a faceguard that is provided with shock absorbing means and to a shock absorber suitable for use as the shock absorbing means.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The health effects of concussions, including repeated minor concussions, suffered by athletes engaged in sports where there is a substantial risk of severe impacts to the athlete's head and face have become a major concern to the athletes, sports teams, governing bodies of sports leagues, and the public in recent years. Impacts to the head may also cause neck injuries that are sometimes severe enough to cause the athlete to become paralyzed. This is particularly a concern with impacts directed frontally toward the face. Athletes in such sports have traditionally worn protective headgear in the form of a hard helmet with a facemask rigidly attached to the helmet. Soft cushioning pads are provided inside the helmet around the wearer's head excluding the facial area. In some other sports, for example baseball, the protective headgear is simply a rigid facemask with cushioning padding on the outer frame that is held against the area around the wearer's face. Although the traditional headgear does mitigate the effect of impacts to the head and neck to some extent, they do not reduce the risk of head or neck injury to the desired degree. Accordingly, protective headgear having shock absorbing elements between the faceguard portion and the head-engaging portion of the headgear have been proposed in the prior art to further reduce the risk of injury. However, none of the prior art headgear with shock absorbing faceguards have been widely adopted. The need remains for a shock absorber for use with the faceguard of headgear that is robust enough, compact enough, unobtrusive enough, and adaptable enough for large scale adoption. The need also remains for headgear that can effectively incorporate such a shock absorber. There is also a need for headgear that will keep the shock absorber well protected. None of the prior art headgear are seen to teach or suggest the unique features of the present invention or to achieve the advantages of the present invention that will become apparent from the description and drawings that follow.


A method, terminal and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for processing a radio link failure and a related product are provided. The method includes: triggering, by the terminal, a communication failure process according to a configuration of the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer entity, when the RLC layer entity reaches a maximum number of retransmission times.

In a wireless communication system, a terminal detects a signal quality of a neighboring cell using a carrier according to information of the carrier sent from network side. For a carrier aggregation system such as a long-term evolution advance (LTE-A) system, etc., a terminal may have multiple carriers serving the terminal at the same time. Carrier aggregation under a base station is called an aggregation cell. When an aggregation cell provides a service for a terminal, the terminal can simultaneously use multiple uplink and downlink carriers for data transmission. If a radio link failure occurs on only a part of carriers (uplink and/or downlink), the terminal can still communicate with the base station through other carriers without failure. Only when radio link failures occur on all carriers (downlink and/or uplink), the terminal determines that the radio link fails and initiates a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection reestablishment process to resume a signaling connection with the base station. In a current discussion of a new radio system, for an RLC entity, if a group of cells configured for a corresponding logical channel are all secondary cells, then when a certain RLC SDU of AM RLC is retransmitted up to a maximum number of times, RRC reconfiguration may not be triggered, but only the event that retransmission reaches the maximum number of times needs to be reported, thus reducing impact of reconfiguration on a terminal. However, there is no discussion on how to configure an RLC entity accordingly so far.

Radio link failure handling method and related product

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


A method of fabricating a display device including forming one or more thin-film transistors (“TFTs”) each configured to include an active layer, a gate insulating layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode on a substrate. A storage capacitor including a first storage electrode and a second storage electrode overlapping the first storage electrode with the gate insulating layer interposed there between is also formed on the substrate. A top surface of the first storage electrode may include hillocks and the gate insulating layer is formed between the first storage electrode and the second storage electrode to conform to the shape of the top surface of the first storage electrode with the hillocks.

Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a display device and a method of fabricating the same.
Description of the Background
Display devices are devices for visually displaying data. Examples of display devices include, but are not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an electrophoretic display, an organic light-emitting display, an inorganic electroluminescent (EL) display, a field emission display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display, a plasma display, and a cathode ray tube (CRT) display.
A display device may include a plurality of pixels, and each of the pixels may include a thin-film transistor (TFT) for driving a corresponding pixel and a storage capacitor for storing charges according to a data signal.
The storage capacitor may include two electrodes and a dielectric element disposed between the two electrodes, and a low-specific resistance material may be used to fabricate the storage capacitor for better electrical performance of the storage capacitor. However, in some cases, low-specific resistance materials may generate hillocks while being thermally treated, and may cause an electrical short circuit.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is provided to enhance understanding of the background of the disclosed subject matter and therefore may contain information that does not form any part of the prior art nor what the prior art may suggest to a person of ordinary skill in the art

Display device and method of fabricating the same


A training apparatus for improving the performance of a swimmer. In a first aspect of the invention, a propeller rotates about an axis which is aligned with the path of the swimmer. A permanent magnet driven by the propeller attached to the swimmer produces a rotating magnetic field which acts on a magnetic field transducer to produce a pulsating signal whose frequency varies directly with the swimmer's speed. The sensor's output is multiplied, amplified and fed to an earphone worn by the swimmer. Changes in frequency immediately inform the swimmer of whether his performance has improved or deteriorated.. In a second aspect of the invention, permanent magnets are mounted on vanes of an impeller which rotate about a horizontal axis which is at right angles to the path of the swimmer. Rotating magnetic fields of the permanent magnets act on a magnetic field sensor to produce a pulsating signal whose frequency varies with the swimmer's speed.

Small changes in form or movement, such as changes in the angle of a hand or the movement of a head can significantly reduce the swimmer's speed and increase fatigue. Heretofore, only lap counters and timing devices such as stop watches have been used for evaluating a swimmer's performance. The effects of small changes in form and movement have either been overlooked or not been readily detectable by either the swimmer or an observer such as a coach. Consequently, there was no way for the swimmer to know, while swimming, whether a specific change in his swimming technique increased or decreased his speed.
Linden, U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,987; Kreutzfeld, U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,367; and Malone, U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,085 are exemplary of the prior art. Linden merely discloses a stop watch mounted in a transparent lens of a goggle, mask, or shield worn by a swimmer. The stop watch reset button is manually activated by the swimmer before the swimmer starts swimming and after the swimmer stops swimming.
Kreutzfeld discloses an apparatus for counting the number of laps of a swimmer comprised of a portable unit worn by the swimmer and a stationary unit which establishes a zone of detection. Each time the portable unit passes the stationary unit a signal is conveyed to register a completion of a lap.
Malone discloses a lap timing device consisting of a clock/timer, a switch for starting the clock/timer and a proximity sensor for detecting a completion of a lap.


A shuttle body 3 having aloop seizing beak 10 for seizing a needle thread 9 is rotatably attached to a shuttle race body 2, pressed by a driver 4, and continuously rotated in a rotation direction B in synchronization with vertical motion of a needle 8. A bobbin case 5 in which a bobbin thread 12 wound around a bobbin 5 is accommodated is attached to the shuttle body 3. Under a state where the bobbin thread 12 is pulled out from the bobbin case 5, the shuttle body 3 is rotated, the needle thread 9 is seized by the loop seizing beak 10, the loop of the needle thread 9 is expanded along the outer face of the shuttle body 3, the loop of the needle thread 9 is passed over the shuttle body 3 and the bobbin case 5 so that the shuttle body 3 and the bobbin case 5 are passed through the loop of the needle thread 9, whereby the needle thread 9 is wound around the bobbin thread 12 and a stitch can be formed.

The present invention relates to a full rotary hook which is disposed in a domestic sewing machine, an industrial sewing machine or the like.
A typical horizontal full rotary hook of the conventional art has a loop taker which is rotated about a rotation axis perpendicular to the axis of a movement path of a needle that is vertically reciprocated; an bobbin case holder which is attached to the inside of the loop taker; a bobbin case which is detachably attached to the inside of the bobbin case holder; and a bobbin around which a bobbin thread is wound and which is then attached to the inside of the bobbin case.
The loop taker has a peripheral wall having a loop seizing beak for seizing a needle thread passed through a needle, and a track groove formed in an inner peripheral portion thereof; a bottom wall connected to one axial end portion of the peripheral wall so as to be perpendicular thereto; and a boss which is integrally formed with the bottom wall so as to be protruded from the bottom wall toward the side opposite to the peripheral wall and is fixed to the lower axis of a sewing machine with being positioned in the circumferential direction. In order to avoid interference with the inserted needle, a notch is formed in the peripheral wall of the loop taker to divide the loop taker in the circumferential direction. The loop seizing beak is formed in one circumferential end portion which is an end portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the loop taker.
The bobbin case holder has a peripheral wall having a track projection formed on the outer periphery thereof; a bottom connected to one axial end of the peripheral wall so as to be perpendicular thereto; a flange connected continuously projected in the radial direction outwardly from the other axial end of the peripheral wall; and a stud standing from the center of the bottom to the open end of the inner bobbin case so as to be perpendicular to the bottom. In order to enable the thread passing which will be described later, the track projection is divided along the circumferential direction in the region where the needle is to be inserted. A holder stop recess is formed in the flange. The bobbin case holder is attached to the loop taker under a state where the bottom is placed on the loop taker bottom wall side. The track projection is fitted into the track groove of the loop taker, and the bobbin case holder is rotatably supported with respect to the loop taker. A projection of a holder stop member fixed to the body of the sewing machine is fitted into the holder stop recess, thereby preventing the bobbin case holder from being rotated in accordance with the rotation of the loop taker, in the same direction.
The bobbin case has a peripheral wall on which a bobbin thread tension spring is disposed, and an end wall perpendicularly which is perpendicularly continuous from one axial end of the peripheral wall, and in which a latch mechanism is disposed. Under a state where the bobbin around which the bobbin thread is wound is accommodated, the bobbin case is engagingly attached to the stud of the bobbin case holder by the latch mechanism. The bobbin thread accommodated in the bobbin case is pulled out from the bobbin, passed between the peripheral wall of the bobbin case and the bobbin thread tension spring, and then guided to the upper side through the open end of the bobbin case holder.
The horizontal full rotary hook is configured in the following manner. The loop taker is rotated about the rotation axis, the needle thread supplied by the needle which is reciprocated in synchronization with the rotation of the loop taker is seized by the loop seizing beak, and a loop of the needle thread is passed over the periphery while being expanded along the outer face of the bobbin case holder, thereby performing the thread passing so as to cause the bobbin case holder to pass through the loop of the needle thread. The needle thread is wound around the bobbin thread pulled out from the bobbin. Under this state, the needle thread is pulled up due to an upward motion of a thread take-up lever (not shown), whereby sewing a workpiece on a throat plate is allowed.
Another typical conventional art is an oscillating loop taker which has: a shuttle race body which is fixed to the body of a sewing machine; a shuttle body which is attached to the inside of the shuttle race body; a driver which is swung about a rotation axis perpendicular to the axis of a needle that is vertically reciprocated; a bobbin case which is detachably attached to the inside of the shuttle body; and a bobbin around which a bobbin thread is wound and which is then attached to the inside of the bobbin case.
In the shuttle race body, a track groove which elongates in the circumferential direction is formed in an inner peripheral portion. The shuttle body has: a peripheral wall which elongates along a semi-arc; a bottom wall which is continuous from one axial end portion of the peripheral wall; and a stud which protrudes from the bottom wall toward the other axial end of the peripheral wall. A track projection is fitted into the track groove of the shuttle race body, and the shuttle body is rotatably supported with respect to the shuttle race body.
The driver has the driver body which elongates along a semi-arc, and a boss which is formed integrally with the driver body, and which is fixed to a lower shaft of the sewing machine with being positioned in the circumferential direction. The driver is configured so that the driver body is placed at a position which is shifted by about 180 deg. with respect to the shuttle body in the shuttle race body, and the circumferential ends of the driver body can press the circumferential ends of the peripheral wall of the shuttle body, respectively.
The bobbin case has a peripheral wall on which a bobbin thread tension spring is disposed, and an end wall which is perpendicularly continuous from one axial end of the peripheral wall, and in which a latch mechanism is disposed. Under a state where the bobbin around which the bobbin thread is wound is accommodated, the bobbin case is engaged with the stud of the shuttle body by the latch mechanism so as to be rotatably attached to the shuttle body. The bobbin case is prevented by the shuttle race body from being rotated in accordance with the rotation of the shuttle body. The needle thread accommodated in the bobbin case is pulled out from the bobbin, passed between the peripheral wall of the bobbin case and the bobbin thread tension spring, and then guided to the upper side through the other end side in the axial direction of the shuttle body.
The oscillating loop taker is configured in the following manner. The driver is swung so as to make a half rotation around the rotation axis. The shuttle body is pressed by the driver to be swung between a position where a loop seizing beak is placed upwardly, and that where the loop seizing beak is placed downwardly. The needle thread supplied by the needle which is reciprocated in synchronization with the swing operation of the shuttle body is seized by the loop seizing beak, and a loop of the needle thread is passed over the periphery of the shuttle body while being expanded along the outer face of the shuttle body, thereby causing the loop of the needle thread to be passed over the periphery of the bobbin case to perform the thread passing. The needle thread is wound around the bobbin thread pulled out from the bobbin. Under this state, the needle thread is pulled up due to an upward motion of a thread take-up lever (not shown), whereby sewing a workpiece on a throat plate is allowed.
In the horizontal full rotary hook of the conventional art, the loop of the needle thread is passed over the bobbin case holder by the loop taker on which the loop seizing beak is formed, in such a manner that the loop is passed over the periphery of the bobbin case holder to which the bobbin case is attached. The loop taker for seizing the needle thread and moving the loop of the needle thread is fixed to the lower shaft of the sewing machine, and hence cannot be passed through the loop of the needle thread. The loop of the needle thread is wound around a thread separating portion which is an end portion of the track projection on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the loop taker. The two thread portions of the loop of the needle thread which vertically elongate are separated into the bottom side and open end side of the bobbin case holder, respectively, and passed over the bobbin case holder.
When the lowest end of the loop of the needle thread is passed over the lowest end of the bobbin case holder, a thread portion which upwardly elongates from the loop taker open end side of the loop-seizing-beak-forming-portion where the loop seizing beak is formed, immediately after the thread is seized by the loop seizing beak elongates toward the bottom of the bobbin case holder, and another thread portion which upwardly elongates from the loop taker bottom side of the loop-seizing-beak-forming-portion immediately after the thread is seized by the loop seizing beak elongates toward the open end of the bobbin case holder. Therefore, the loop of the needle thread is passed over the bobbin case holder under a state where the loop crosses above the bobbin case holder. As described above, in the horizontal full rotary hook in which the loop taker for moving the needle thread cannot be passed through the loop of the needle thread, the loop of the needle thread crosses above the bobbin case holder when the loop is passed over the bobbin case holder, and hence the needle thread is easily twisted.
In the oscillating loop taker of the conventional art, the loop of the needle thread is passed over the bobbin case by the shuttle body on which the loop seizing beak is formed. The shuttle body which seizes the needle thread and moves the loop of the needle thread is formed separately from the driver which is fixed to the lower shaft of the sewing machine, and hence can be passed through the loop of the needle thread. The two thread portions of the loop of the needle thread which vertically elongate are separated into the bottom side and open end side of the shuttle body, respectively, and the shuttle body is passed through the loop of the needle thread. In accordance with this, the thread passing is performed so that the bobbin case is passed through the loop of the needle thread.
In the thus configured oscillating loop taker, when the lowest end of the loop of the needle thread is passed over the lowest end of the bobbin case, a thread portion which upwardly elongates from the shuttle body open end side of the loop-seizing-beak-forming-portion where the loop seizing beak is formed, immediately after the thread is seized by the loop seizing beak elongates toward the open end of the shuttle body, and another thread portion which upwardly elongates from the shuttle body bottom side of the loop-seizing-beak-forming-portion immediately after the thread is seized by the loop seizing beak elongates toward the open end of the shuttle body. Therefore, the loop of the needle thread is passed over the shuttle body and the bobbin case with being expanded into a substantially U-like shape without crossing in an Intermediate portion. In the oscillating loop taker in which the shuttle body for moving the needle thread can be passed through the loop of the needle thread as described above, the loop of the needle thread does not cross unlike the above-described horizontal full rotary hook, and hence the needle thread is not twisted.
In the oscillating loop taker which can solve the problem of the horizontal full rotary hook, since the driver which presses the shuttle body is rotated so as to make a half rotation, and the driver must stop two times during an operation of one cycle, and hence it is difficult to improve the operation speed.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a full rotary hook which enables a needle thread to be wound around a bobbin thread without being twisted, and which can improve the operation speed.
The invention set forth in claim 1 is a full rotary hook comprising:
a shuttle race body which is fixed to a body of a sewing machine and has a track groove formed on an inner peripheral portion of the shuttle race body so as to circumferentially elongate in a circumferential direction thereof;
a shuttle body having a track projection elongating in the circumferential direction and being divided in the circumferential direction, formed on an outer peripheral portion, which track projection is fitted into the track groove to rotatably attach the shuttle body to the shuttle race body, and in which a loop-seizing-beak-forming-portion is formed, the loop-seizing-beak-forming-portion including a loop seizing beak formed at a tip end thereof, for seizing a needle thread supplied by a needle which is vertically reciprocated;
a driver which is continuously rotated in synchronization with a vertical motion of the needle in a predetermined rotation direction, for rotating the shuttle body about an axis of the shuttle body by pressing the shuttle body by rotation of the driver; and
a bobbin case for accommodating bobbin thread, being detachably attached to the shuttle body,
wherein the loop-seizing-beak-forming-portion is formed so as to protrude in a rotation direction of the shuttle body from one circumferential end of the track projection which is placed on a downstream side in the rotation direction of the shuttle body,
in the shuttle race body, a protrusion which protrudes in an axial direction of the shuttle race body so as to face the track groove is formed, and a recess which extends in the circumferential direction is formed on a radial outer side of the protrusion,
the track projection of the shuttle body has an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion, the outer peripheral portion more protruding toward an open end of the shuttle body than the inner peripheral portion, a protrusion being formed by the outer peripheral portion, and a recess which elongates in the circumferential direction being formed on a radial inner side of the protrusion,
the protrusion of the shuttle race body is fitted into the recess of the track projection of the shuttle body, the protrusion of the shuttle body being fitted into the recess of the shuttle race body, and engaged with the protrusion of the shuttle race body from a radial outer side of the shuttle body, in the outer peripheral portion of the track projection, a projection amount with respect to the inner peripheral portion in regions near circumferential ends is smaller than a projection amount with respect to the inner peripheral portion in a region of a circumferential intermediate portion which is between the regions near the circumferential ends, and the loop seizing beak is formed in a plane including an end face on a shuttle body open end side in the region of the circumferential intermediate portion of the outer peripheral portion of the track projection, and
the loop-seizing-beak-forming portion which more protrudes toward the shuttle body open end than the regions near the circumferential ends of the outer peripheral portion of the track projection is passed through a recess formed in the needle.
According to the invention, the shuttle body having the loop seizing beak for seizing the needle thread is attached to the shuttle race body to be rotatable, pressed by the driver, and continuously rotated in the predetermined rotation direction in synchronization with the vertical motion of the needle. The bobbin case accommodating the bobbin thread is attached to the shuttle body. Under a state where the bobbin thread is pulled out from the bobbin case, the shuttle body is rotated, the needle thread is seized by the loop seizing beak, the loop of the needle thread is expanded along the outer face of the shuttle body, and the loop of the needle thread is passed over the bobbin case so that the bobbin case is passed through the loop of the needle thread, whereby the needle thread is wound around the bobbin thread and a stitch can be formed. The shuttle body which seizes the needle thread and moves the loop of the needle thread while expanding the loop is rotated by the driver which is separately formed. When the loop of the needle thread is to be passed over the bobbin case, therefore, the loop can be passed over the shuttle body. Consequently, the loop of the needle thread can perform the thread passing under a state where the loop is expanded into a substantially U-like shape without crossing in an intermediate portion, and the needle thread is wound around the bobbin thread without forming a twist. Furthermore, the driver is continuously rotated in a predetermined rotation direction, and in accordance with the rotation, the shuttle body is continuously rotated. The driver and the shuttle body do not stop during an operation of one cycle, and hence the full rotary hook can be operated at a high speed.
The track projection has the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion, and the outer peripheral portion protrudes toward the shuttle body open end with respect to the inner peripheral portion to form the protrusion. In the outer peripheral portion of the track projection, the projection amount with respect to the inner peripheral portion in the regions near the circumferential ends is smaller than the projection amount with respect to the inner peripheral portion in the region of the circumferential intermediate portion which is between the regions near the circumferential ends. The loop-seizing-beak-forming-portion is formed so as to protrude in the rotation direction of the shuttle body from the one circumferential end of the track projection which is placed on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the shuttle body. The loop-seizing-beak-forming-portion functions also as the track projection which is fitted into the track groove. The loop seizing beak formed at the tip end of the loop-seizing-beak-forming-portion is formed in the plane including the end face on the shuttle body open end side in the region of the circumferential intermediate portion of the outer peripheral portion of the track projection.
As described above, the regions near the circumferential ends of the outer peripheral portion of the track projection are formed so as to have a small width and a small projection amount toward the shuttle body open end. According to this configuration, the needle which is vertically moved in the vicinity of the track projection is prevented from interfering with the shuttle body. Although the loop seizing beak is formed in the plane including the end face on the shuttle body open end side in the region of the circumferential intermediate portion of the outer peripheral portion of the track projection, and the loop-seizing-beak-forming-portion protrudes toward the shuttle body open end, the loop-seizing-beak-forming-portion is passed through the recess formed in the needle, and hence does not interfere with the needle.
In the shuttle race body, the protrusion is formed so as to protrude toward the track groove, and the recess is formed on the radial outer""side of the protrusion. In the track projection of the shuttle body, the protrusion is formed by the outer peripheral portion, and the recess is formed on the radial inner side of the protrusion. The protrusion of the shuttle race body is fitted into the recess of the track projection of the shuttle body, and the protrusion of the track projection of the shuttle body is fitted into the recess of the shuttle race body, and engaged with the protrusion of the shuttle race body from the radial outer side. Under this state, the track projection of the shuttle body is fitted into the track groove of the shuttle race body. The track projection of the shuttle body, in which the projection amount in the regions near the circumferential ends of the outer peripheral portion of the track projection is formed so as to be small in order to avoid interference with the needle, is guided by the portion facing the track groove of the shuttle race body, and the shuttle body is rotatable about its axis. Furthermore, the shuttle body is prevented from vibrating in a radial direction during rotation, and can be stably rotated.
The invention set forth in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the configuration of the invention set forth in claim 1, the shuttle body has a spring member which is fixed in a vicinity of a basal end, and
the driver presses a free end of the spring member or a vicinity of the free end.
According to the invention, the driver presses the free end of the spring member of the shuttle body or the vicinity of the free end, the rotation force of the driver is transmitted to the shuttle body via the spring member, and the shuttle body is rotated. As a result, when the driver is continuously rotated, the spring member periodically repeats an elastically deforming operation and an operation of recovering the elastic deformation. This causes the driver and the free end of the spring member or the vicinity of the free end to periodically abut against and separate from each other. When the loop of the needle thread is to be passed over the shuttle body, the loop can be passed through the gap between the driver and the free end of the spring member or the vicinity of the free end during a period when the driver and the free end of the spring member or the vicinity of the free end are separated from each other. When the loop of the needle thread is to perform the thread passing, therefore, the needle thread can be prevented from being pressed between the shuttle body and the driver to be caught thereby, and the loop of the needle thread can smoothly perform the thread passing. Even when the needle thread is accidentally pressed between the shuttle body and the driver, the needle thread elastically deforms the spring member and can be then passed between the driver and the spring member. Therefore, a breakage of the needle thread does not occur.
The invention set forth in claim 3 is characterized in that, in the configuration of the invention set forth in claim 1, a rotation axis of the driver is eccentric with respect to a rotation axis of the shuttle body.
According to the invention, the eccentricity between the rotation axes of the driver and the shuttle body causes the position where the driver presses the shuttle body to be changed in the radial direction of the shuttle body, so that the torque transmitted from the driver to the shuttle body is periodically changed. As a result, at a time when the torque is low, the loop of the needle thread is allowed to pass between the driver and the shuttle body.
The invention set forth in claim 4 is characterized in that, in the configuration of the invention set forth in claim 1, the shuttle body has a peripheral wall on which the track projection is formed, and a needle drop hole is formed in a region of the peripheral wall where the needle is to be inserted.
According to the invention, the shuttle body has the peripheral wall on which the track projection is formed, and the loop of the needle thread seized by the loop seizing beak is moved along the periphery of the shuttle body while being guided and expanded by the peripheral wall, so that the loop of the needle thread can be easily passed over the shuttle body and the bobbin case. The needle drop hole into which the needle is to be inserted is formed in the peripheral wall, thereby preventing the needle and the shuttle body from interfering with each other.


In a camera system, if software is rewritten in accordance with the change in hardware structure, compatibility between the hardware and the software is determined, thereby avoiding a problem, such as an inoperable condition or a breakdown of a component. The camera system includes a camera body operated in accordance with programs stored in a program storage circuit and a peripheral for rewriting at least a part of the programs. The camera body comprises a data storage circuit which stores structure data of the camera. The peripheral comprises a communication circuit for receiving the structure data of the camera and a control circuit for determining whether the programs should be rewritten based on the structure data.

The present invention relates to a peripheral and a camera system using the same, in which programs, stored in a memory element of the camera body and operable in accordance with the programs, can be externally rewritten.
Conventionally, various techniques have been disclosed, which relate to a camera incorporating a memory element for performing various operations based on programs prestored in the memory element, and a camera system including the camera and a peripheral.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,733 discloses a technique by which all or part of the programs, i.e., the bases of various operations, stored in a memory element incorporated in the camera, can be rewritten by means of an external peripheral, so that a function desired by the user can be realized.
However, limited functions are realizable only by rewriting the programs as described above. In other words, to obtain a more sophisticated function, it is necessary that hardware (at least one of the units constituting the camera) be exchanged by the user and the programs for this purpose be installed.
At this time, since both old and new hardware is on the market, if a program compatible with a new function is installed in a system including a camera of the old hardware structure, the camera will be inoperable, and if things come to the worst, components of the camera may be broken.

Peripheral and camera system using the same, for rewriting programs stored in a camera


An assembly useable in conjunction with a plurality of flexible articles. The assembly includes at least one compartment configured to hold a plurality of the flexible articles. The compartment defines an outlet configured to enable the flexible articles to be removed from the compartment through the outlet at least one at a time. The assembly includes at least one mount connected to the housing and a door. The door has a shelf surface. The assembly provides users with increased shelving and storage space, access to flexible articles, and convenience of use.

Many households and businesses provide disposable paper towels in restrooms, kitchens and other areas. A variety of different types, shapes and sizes of helpful paper towels have been developed, including, without limitation, stacked or rolled towels, boxed or rolled tissue, and different types of stacked and canisterized wet wipes for cleansing, disinfecting, dusting, polishing, shining and other purposes. In addition, many households and businesses store several items in the same rooms where they provide the paper towels. These items include cleansing products, deodorizers, plants, pictures and art pieces, among other articles. For these reasons, there is a growing need to facilitate the accessibility and use of these paper towels, and there is also a growing need to facilitate the shelving of items in the areas where these paper towels are located.

Dispensing system and assembly having a shelf integrated with one or more compartments for dispensing flexible articles


A mode shift assembly for a transmission comprises has a first side coupled to a rotational input, a second side coupled to a rotational output, and an actuator. The actuator acts on the first side to move the first side between a first position in which the first and second engagement surfaces are disengaged and a second position. In the first position, rotation between the first and second sides is independent. In the second position, the first and second engagement surfaces are engaged such that rotation is transferred from the first side to the second side.

Clutch assemblies selectively transfer rotational motion between a power source and a driven member. By selectively engaging multiple stages of clutch assemblies within a transmission, the ratio of input rotation to output rotation is varied. Known clutch assemblies utilize multiple friction plates interposed between multiple reaction plates. An actuator is energized when the clutch is engaged so that the faces of the reaction plates and friction plates engage to transfer torque between the friction plates and reaction plates. As higher reaction loads are required, the number of plates is typically increased to increase the reaction surface area.
When the clutch is disengaged, the friction plates and reaction plates are separated by a minimal distance to maintain a low travel required to engage the clutch and/or to minimize the size of the clutch assembly. The relative movement between the friction plates and reaction plates as the friction plates rotate causes the fluid between the plates to be worked, causing heating of the fluid. Such an assembly is susceptible parasitic losses due to the friction between the adjacent, but unengaged plates, thereby reducing the power transferred through the transmission by the resistance to rotation of the plates when the clutch is de-energized, causing the clutch to unnecessarily consume power.