A thin film magnetic read/write head for use in magnetic data storage systems to enable writing of data to a magnetic data storage medium with the assistance of laser heating. The read/write head allows magnetic reading of data from the storage medium, and thermally assisted magnetic writing of data on the storage medium. A waveguide is provided in a write gap in the form of an optical circuit having a plurality of inputs and a single output at the air bearing surface (ABS) for concentrating laser light used for heating the storage medium during the write operation. The thermally assisted magnetic writing improves the thermal stability of the recorded data and usefulness thereof throughout a wide temperature range.

A conventional magnetic storage system typically includes a thin film magnetic head that includes a slider element and a magnetic read/write element. The head is coupled to a rotary actuator magnet and a voice coil assembly by a suspension and an actuator arm positioned over a surface of a spinning magnetic disk. In operation, a lift force is generated by the aerodynamic interaction between the magnetic head and the spinning magnetic disk, such that a predetermined flying height is maintained over a full radial stroke of the rotary actuator assembly above the surface of the spinning magnetic disk.
Some factors that limit writing (or recording) on a magnetic disk at high data transfer rates (or frequencies) using conventional magnetic heads at wide temperature ranges are the increasing requirements for higher magnetic fields and field gradients to achieve a smaller and smaller bit size. High magnetic fields are difficult to achieve particularly with narrow tracks and miniaturized heads and at low temperature. As a result, thin film magnetic heads incorporating a laser device have been developed and used in magnetic recording devices for heating the magnetic media to reduce the coercive force of the media during the write operation.
One example of a heat-assisted read/write head is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,290 entitled "Read/Write Head with Shifted Waveguide," which is incorporated by reference herein. FIGS. 1 and 2 of the '290 patent, which are reproduced herein as FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrate an exemplary data storage system and head gimbal assembly, respectively, in which the instant invention may be utilized. More particularly, FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional disk drive 10 including a head stack assembly (HSA) 12 and a stack of spaced apart data storage disks (magnetic recording media) 14 that are rotatable about a common shaft 15. The head stack assembly 12 is rotatable about an actuator axis 16 in the direction indicated by arrow C. The head stack assembly 12 includes a number of actuator arms (18A, 18B, 18C), which extend into respective spaces between the disks 14. While only three actuator arms and disks are shown in FIG. 1, any desired number disks and actuator arms may be provided. The head stack assembly 12 further includes an E-shaped block 19 and a magnetic rotor 20 attached to the block 19 at an opposite position relative to the actuator arms. The rotor 20 cooperates with a stator (not shown) for rotating in an arc about the actuator axis 16. Energizing a coil of the rotor 20 with, for example, a direct current in one polarity causes rotation of the actuator arms about the actuator axis 16, thereby enabling the actuator arms to move across the disks 14.
A head gimbal assembly (HGA) 28 is secured to each of the actuator arms, as shown on actuator arm 18A in FIG. 1. Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, the HGA 28 includes a suspension 33 and a read/write head 35. The suspension 33 includes a load beam 36 and a flexure 40 to which the read/write head 35 is secured. The read/write head 35 is comprised of a slider 47 secured to the free end of the load beam 36 by the flexure 40. Thus, the read/write element 50 is supported by the slider 47. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the read/write element 50 is secured to the trailing end 55 of the slider 47. The slider 47 may also be referred to as a support element since it supports the read/write element 50. The slider 47 can be any conventional or available slider.
In the exemplary device disclosed in the '290 patent, a laser diode 92 is secured to the slider 47 and is positioned over the read/write element 50 for optically coupling to a waveguide which passes through the read/write element. The laser beam propagating through the waveguide core heats a section of the track on the disk under the waveguide, thereby significantly reducing the disk coercivity. The magnetic field from the head at the medium adjacent a write gap is sufficiently large to reorient the domains of the data bits in the section of the track having reduced coercivity from the laser heating, thereby enabling the write element to write data within the track.
Further details regarding the structure and operation of the exemplary heat-assisted device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided in the '290 patent and, therefore, will not be further described in detail herein. While the heat-assisted device of the '290 patent, and other similar prior art devices, have improved the function of magnetic thin film heads in certain respects, further improvements in the structure and operation of such devices are still desired. Hence, the instant invention was developed in order to provide an improved heat-assisted thin film head for use in a magnetic hard disk drive.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,122 entitled "Flying Head of a Magneto-Optical Recording Apparatus" discloses a magneto-optical recording apparatus in which a thin film magneto-optical head is provided separately from the slider. FIGS. 13 and 14 of the '122 patent disclose the use of an optical integrated circuit that is connected to a light source using three optical fibers. One of the optical fibers is used for writing or reading and the other two are for outputting light that has been read. The optical integrated circuit includes branching and connecting circuits that are coupled, using an integrated mirror portion, with a light waveguide path shown in FIG. 14 of the '122 patent. In contrast to the instant invention, which is directed to magnetic recording apparatus, the '122 patent is limited to a magneto-optical recording apparatus. Thus, the '122 patent is not concerned with and does not contemplate heat-assisted writing in a magnetic recording apparatus. Moreover, the overall structure of the magneto-optical head with optical integrated circuit disclosed in the '122 patent has certain disadvantages with respect to the location and configuration of the optical integrated circuit. As a result, the teachings of the '122 patent are not readily adaptable to magnetic recording applications, much less magnetic recording applications that incorporate heat-assisted writing.

Magnetic thin film head with heat-assisted write section and hard disk drive incorporating same


To provide an image processing apparatus and an image transmission apparatus capable of image display as excellent as a normal raster image even when the memory capacity is reduced in a display having a built-in memory, and an image processing method.

At the present day, in order to transmit an image from a computer to a display, a means of transmitting a raster image with respect to each frame frequency is adopted. This means requires a large amount of transmission data, and therefore involves waste of transmission when a still image is being displayed.
As a measure for reducing the amount of transmission data, an image may be compressed into a file format such as JPEG and GIF, and then transmitted. However, it is necessary to have a processor which executes high-speed operations for compressing and decompressing the image with respect to each frame, thereby resulting in an increase in costs.
On the other hand, as a measure for reducing waste of transmission in displaying a still image, a display may be provided with a built-in frame memory which serves as a memory for storing a raster image to suspend the transmission of data when a still image is being displayed. This measure is effective especially for mobile information equipment and the like since it is also possible to reduce electric power consumption.
Reductions in electric power consumption and chip size are important for the display which is installed in mobile information equipment. Accordingly, it is desirable that an image stored in a memory should be displayed when displaying a still image, and that the capacity or size of the memory, which occupies a large proportion of chip size, should be small. By storing an image in a memory as just described, electric power consumption in data transmission can be reduced. Besides, The reduced demand of memory capacity means that chip size can be reduced.
In order to reduce memory capacity, image data may be compressed. However, according to a graphical data compression method utilizing a format such as JPEG and GIF, it is required to have an image processor for decompressing images, which counteracts the effect of reducing electric power consumption and chip size.
Another approach involves reducing the bit-plane number of a raster image. Here, the bit-plane number means the number n of bits of data representing the tone or gray level of a digital image which has been quantized by 2n. Examples of the methods for reducing the bit-plane number include the multi-valued dither method and the fixed threshold method. Details regarding these methods are described in "The New Image Electron Handbook" (Tokyo, Corona Publishing Co. Ltd., 1993), pp. 41-51. The multi-valued dither method and the fixed threshold method are different from the graphical data compression method utilizing a format such as JPEG and GIF in that compressed images do not require decompression.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a conventional image processing apparatus. With reference to FIG. 1, a description will be given of an example of bit-plane compression of a raster image by the conventional multi-valued dither method, in which an RGB raster image with 6 bits per color component is transmitted from a computer, and an image display section displays an image with 6 bits per color component.
First, low order or least significant 2 bits of 6 bits per color component of a raster image 1 are transmitted to a comparator 12. A threshold value generator 11 generates a dither matrix based on ordered dithering, and outputs a 2-bit value, which is uniquely determined according to the pixel (X-Y coordinate values) of an input image, to the comparator 12.
The comparator 12 compares the low order 2 bits sent from the raster image 1 with the 2-bit value from the threshold value generator 11. When the value received from the threshold value generator 11 is larger than the low order 2 bits, the comparator 12 outputs "1" to a selector 13. Otherwise, the comparator 12 outputs "0" to the selector 13.
The selector 13 outputs high order or most significant 4 bits of the raster image 1 directly or a value obtained by subtracting 1 therefrom to a memory 2 based on the output value from the comparator 12. For an image with 4 bits per color component stored in the memory 2, the value of high order 2 bits of the 4 bits is attached as low order bits to the input 4-bit value by a bit addition section 14, and the image is output to an image display section 3 as a 6-bit image.
With this construction, the bit-plane number is reduced by the multi-valued dither method, and a pseudo image with 6 bits per color component is displayed.
Besides, Japanese Patent Publication No. HEI2-8493(B) (first prior art) has disclosed a digital signal processing apparatus which performs level-compression of a digitized input signal to transmit the signal and level-decompression of a compressed signal transmitted thereto, comprising circuits for detecting a maximum value of a digital signal, performing level-compression after adding a dither value to the digital signal based on the maximum value, performing level-decompression and subtracting the dither value from the digital signal, respectively.
With this construction, it is possible to obtain the output with smaller difference in a digitized audio signal being a one-dimensional signal.

Image processing apparatus, image transmission apparatus, image reception apparatus, and image processing method

Abstract: The image processing apparatus of the present invention performs multi-valued dither processing at an image processing former stage 4 when a raster image 1 is input to a memory 2, and the raster image output from the memory 2 is subjected to reverse processing to the multi-valued dither processing in an image processing latter stage 5. With this construction, it is possible to obtain a display apparatus capable of suppressing a grainy feeling and pseudo colors, thereby realizing high quality images.


A method is provided for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer having reduced amounts of impurities by contacting a poly(arylene sulfide) polymerization reaction mixture with an acid.

Poly(arylene sulfide) polymers are generally known in the art and are employed in a number of applications due to their high temperature and chemical resistance and good electrical and mechanical properties. Poly(arylene sulfide) polymers are used in the preparation of fibers, films, coatings, injection molding compounds and fiber-reinforced composites.
Impurities in the poly(arylene sulfide) polymer can contribute to certain processing and product problems. Problems include off-gassing, injection mold plate out and corrosion of processing equipment used in injection molding applications. Problems can also include poor adhesion to substrates for coatings and poor adhesion to reinforcing fibers in composites.
It is thus desirable to reduce the amount of impurities in the poly(arylene sulfide) polymer. One method of accomplishing this has been to treat the recovered polymer with an acidic solution. This, however, results in the inclusion of an extra wash and recovery step.
The poly(arylene sulfide) polymer is generally prepared in a reaction employing at least one sulfur-source, at least one dihalogenated aromatic compound and a polar organic compound, optionally with molecular weight modifying agents such as alkali metal salts. The reaction mixture is very basic, contributing to corrosion of the metal contacting the mixture. Certain by-products are formed during the reaction which chemically bind the polar organic compound and render recovery and reuse of the polar organic compound difficult. It would therefore be desirable to have a method for rendering the reaction mixture less basic and for causing the by-products to release the polar organic compound.

Acid treatment of poly(arylene sulfide) polymer reaction mixture


The invention concerns monolithic foam sleeves that comprises titanium or titanium alloy foam having a porosity of 50 to 85% and possesses a proximal surface, a distal end, an interior wall that defines an interior channel and extends from the proximal surface to the distal end; and a terraced outer surface that tapers such that said sleeve is widest at the proximal surface and most narrow at the distal end.

Knee replacement surgery typically requires the replacement of the distal end of the femur and the proximal end of the tibia. Implant loosening, infection, and device wear are well-documented failure modes of primary knee arthroplasty. In cases where the primary implants fail, a secondary operation (i.e., revision surgery) is required to replace the faulty device. The factors associated with device failure, including infection and osteolysis, often lead to a deterioration of bone quality in proximity to the implanted knee replacement devices. Upon removal of the faulty device, large bone defects are often encountered on both the tibia and the femur. These defects are often characterized by large cavitary voids along with cortical rim defects. Traditionally, treatment of these defects required the removal of a large amount of stable cortical bone to facilitate the implantation of a metal replacement for the bone defect.
Revision knee arthroplasty has existed since the first primary knees failed; bone loss associated with revision surgery is therefore not a new problem. Noiles et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,839 ("the 839 patent"), discloses a method for affixing a prosthesis to bone that incorporates oval-shaped terraces conforming generically to the anatomy of the proximal tibia. The geometry of the device transfers stresses to the bone in a manner that generally corresponds to the types of stress transfers that occur in natural bone. The 839 patent also states that a coating or roughened surfaces can be applied to the stepped tibial sleeves to improve fixation with the bone.
Blaylock et al., U.S. Published Patent Application No. 200410162619 ("the 619 application"), describe a tibial augment system to replace bone defects that incorporates cone-shaped augments made of a highly porous tantalum material. The intent of the device is said to be minimizing bone loss while providing a stable basis for a tibia tray implant. The device of the 619 application, however, does not appear to incorporate a stepped design, therefore calling into question its ability to transfer stresses from the implant to the bone. In addition, the device of the 619 application does not appear to contain a means for mechanically fixing the tibial tray to the tibial cone augment. Rather, the tibial tray is cemented to the tibial augment that provides for a decreased rotational stability than a mechanical lock.
Although much research has been invested into devices that can be used when a primary knee implant fails, there are still important improvements that are needed. Areas of needed improvements include improved transfer of stresses to the bone in a manner that generally corresponds to the types of stress transfers that occur in natural bone and improved rotational stability.

Porous titanium tibial sleeves and their use in revision knee surgery


A separable insulated connector assembly provided with a thermoplastic interface formed on a surface of a shield.

The invention relates generally to cable connectors for electric power systems, and more particularly to separable insulated connector systems for use with medium voltage cable distribution systems.
Electrical power is typically transmitted from substations through cables which interconnect other cables and electrical apparatus in a power distribution network. The cables are typically terminated on bushings that may pass through walls of metal encased equipment such as capacitors, transformers or switchgear. Such cables and equipment transmit electrical power at medium and high voltages generally greater than 600V.
Separable connector systems have been developed that allow ready connection and disconnection of the cables to and from the electrical equipment. In general, two basic types of separable connector systems have conventionally been provided, namely deadbreak connector systems and loadbreak connector systems. Conventional connectors of this type are disadvantaged in certain aspects and improvements are desired.

Thermoplastic interface and shield assembly for separable insulated connector system


A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in an optical path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in an optical path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter.

1. Field of Invention
The field of the currently claimed embodiments of this invention relates to X-ray systems, and more particularly to differential phase contrast X-ray imaging systems and X-ray illumination systems.
2. Discussion of Related Art
X-ray differential phase-contrast (DPC) imaging relies on the refraction of the X-rays passing through an object. Since for hard X-rays the refraction angles are in the μ-radian range, the basic technique used for DPC imaging is to angularly filter with μ-radian resolution the transmitted X-ray beam, thus converting the angular beam deviations from refraction into intensity changes on a conventional detector. The angular filtering is done using X-ray optics such as crystals or gratings (see [1] for a recent review).
A fundamental advantage of DPC imaging is that it is sensitive to density gradients in the measured object rather than to its bulk X-ray absorption. In medical imaging for instance refraction has a contrast enhancing effect at tissue boundaries, which enables the detection of soft tissues which are otherwise invisible in conventional X-ray imaging. The ultra-small angle scattering occurring in micro-structured soft tissue such as cartilage, tendon, ligament or muscle has also a volume contrast enhancing effect [1-5]. Another benefit of DPC for medical imaging is that it can improve contrast and resolution at similar or lower dose than in conventional X-ray imaging. This is possible because DPC uses X-rays that are not absorbed by the body and because the soft tissue refraction coefficients decrease with X-ray energy much slower than the absorption ones. In particular, by using for DPC a spectrum with mean energy in the 50-80 keV range approximately, the soft tissue dose is minimized while refraction strongly dominates over absorption [1, 6].
X-ray phase-contrast is also of interest for imaging and non-destructive characterization in material sciences, in particular as concerns low-Z materials. The structure and defects of materials ranging from polymers, to fiber composites, to wood, and to engineered bio-materials can be probed on the micrometer scale using X-ray phase-contrast [7-9]. Some of the techniques used for X-ray phase-contrast can also be applied with neutrons [10]. Recently X-ray phase-contrast has gained attention in fusion energy research, where the capability of refraction based imaging to measure the density gradients in an object can be used for the diagnostic of high density plasmas in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and other high energy density physics (HEDP) experiments [11].
Until recently, research on X-ray DPC imaging has been done mostly at synchrotrons, using crystal optics; the high intensity of the synchrotron compensates for the low efficiency (less than a hundredth of a %) of the crystal optics [1, 12]. Although there are efforts to develop table-top synchrotrons [13], or to use narrow Kα lines from conventional tubes [14], the crystal method has not yet entered the domain of practical applications. It is thus of interest to develop more efficient DPC methods and optics, that can work with conventional medical or industrial X-ray tubes.
A DPC method that can work with conventional X-ray sources is the Talbot-Lau shearing interferometry, in which micro-periodic optics such as gratings are used to angularly filter the refracted X-rays with μ-radian resolution [15-17]. The Talbot interferometer includes first a 'beam-splitter' (typically a π-shift phase grating), which divides (or 'shears') through the Talbot effect the incoming beam into few μ-radian wide beamlets. The Talbot effect consists in a 'replication' of the grating pattern by the wave intensity, at periodic distances along the beam, called Talbot distances, dT=k/η2·g2/(2λ) with λ the X-ray wavelength, g the grating period, k=1, 2, . . . the order of the pattern, and η=1 for a π/2 phase shifting grating or for an absorption grating, and η=2 for a π phase grating [18]. The beam-splitter thus creates at the 'Talbot distance' a micro-periodic fringe pattern, which changes shape (shifts) with respect to the unperturbed pattern when a refractive object is introduced in the beam. The differential phase-contrast imaging consists thus in measuring the changes in the fringe pattern induced by the object, with respect to the pattern without the object. To achieve μ-radian angular sensitivity at hard X-ray wavelengths, the period g must be in the μm range, resulting in a Talbot distance of a few tens of cm.
The fringe pattern can in principle be directly measured using a microscopic pixel detector [17]. This is however quite inefficient. For most practical applications, the fringe pattern changes are converted into intensity changes on a macroscopic pixel detector by introducing an 'analyzer' absorption grating placed behind the beam-splitter and having the period of the Talbot pattern. Lastly, for such an interferometer to function with an extended spot X-ray tube, a 'source' absorption grating is placed in front of the source, thus dividing it into an array of quasi-coherent line sources [16-18].
The gratings are made by micro-lithography in thin Si wafers or photoresist [19, 20]. The absorption gratings are difficult to fabricate; they are typically made by filling with gold the gaps in regular transmission gratings. The 'grating shearing method' described above has demonstrated performance similar to the crystal method at energies below a few tens of keV [21].
This method is however less useful at energies above a few tens of keV. The reason is that it is difficult to fabricate micron-period absorption gratings with the thickness required to block higher energy X-rays. This is illustrated in FIG. 1 with a plot of the Au thickness needed for 95% absorption, as a function of the photon energy. As seen, several hundred μm depth gratings would be needed in the range of interest for clinical DPC imaging. Depending on the grating period, the present technological limit is however around 50-100 μm [19, 20, 22]. This limits the contrast of the grating shearing method for high energy X-rays, as illustrated in FIG. 1 by the fringe contrast computed for an interferometer having 30 μm thick, 4 μm period Au analyzer grating (throughout this specification we used for X-ray phase-contrast and optics calculations the XWFP wave propagation code [23] and the XOP optics package [24]).
A new type of optics is therefore needed to enable efficient DPC imaging at X-ray energies above a few tens of keV.

Differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system and components


An electrical box assembly including a box having a base wall perimetrically bounded by a sidewall extending therefrom forming a housing adapted to receive an electrical component. The sidewall having an upper portion and a flange extending outwardly in a transverse direction from the upper portion. An electrical component attachment point is disposed adjacent the sidewall upper portion and adapted for securing an electrical component to the box. The flange is perimetrically bounded by a collar extending outwardly therefrom. A securement device disposed on the box for securing the box to a support structure is provided. A frame is further provided which is in telescopic engagement with the collar and movable relative thereto. The frame has an abutment surface for abutting against a facing surface. An adjustment device is provided for moving the frame relative to the box and urges the abutment surface against the facing surface.

The present invention relates to an electrical box assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a recessed electrical box assembly being adjustable in order to permit secure mounting.
Electrical boxes provide a housing for electrical components such as outlets and switches when installed in the walls, ceilings or floors of buildings. Electrical boxes are typically secured to a support structure such as a wall stub and aligned with an opening in a covering material, such as wall board or siding. Boxes may be employed to house electrical components both in and out of doors.
Outdoor applications typically utilize electrical boxes which can resist contamination such as water and dirt created by exposure to the elements. Indoor applications such as in a bathroom or industrial setting may also subject an installed electrical component to contamination from cleaning fluid or other debris. Typical outlet boxes include a housing which holds the electrical component and a bracket having a flange which abuts the front face of the wall. In order to satisfy the requirements of such applications, electrical boxes also typically include a cover to shield the electrical components from contamination. Electrical box covers of the prior art may include openings therein to permit cords to extend there through, thereby allowing an electrical outlet to be used even when the cover is closed.
One such electrical box is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,832. This electrical box includes a recess configuration such that the electrical component is recessed from the front surface of the wall in which it is installed. The electrical box includes a housing attachable to a wall stud and a bracket securable thereto. The bracket has a flange which abuts against a wall surface and a base which aligns with the front face of an electrical component. Since the base must align with the electrical component, the housing must be precisely installed on the stud. If the housing is secured too far forward, then the bracket""s flange will not seat properly against the wall surface allowing contamination to get between the cover and the wall. If the housing is mounted too far toward the back of the stud, a gap may exist between the base and the front of the electrical component, thereby compromising the function of the electrical box. There is no adjustability to accommodate for variation in the placement of the housing or the thickness of the wall covering.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an electrical box which is useable both in and out of doors and can be properly secured and provides a degree of adjustability to accommodate the position of the box and the thickness of the covering material.
It is an advantage of the present invention to provide an electrical box assembly that may be used both in and out of doors.
It is another advantage of the present invention to provide an electrical box having an adjustable face frame to permit secure mounting.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a recessed electrical box having an adjustment device for permitting the face frame to be adjusted.
In the efficient attainment of these and other advantages, the present invention provides an electrical box assembly including a box having a base wall perimetrically bounded by a sidewall extending therefrom forming a housing adapted to receive an electrical component. The sidewall has an upper portion and a flange extending outwardly in a transverse direction from the upper portion. An electrical component attachment point is disposed adjacent the sidewall upper portion and adapted for securing an electrical component to the box. The flange is perimetrically bounded by a collar extending outwardly therefrom. The invention further includes a securement device supported on the box for securing the box to a support structure. Also provided is a frame which is in telescopic engagement with the collar and movable relative thereto. The frame has an abutment surface for abutting against a facing surface. An adjustment device is provided for moving the frame relative to the box and urging the abutment surface against the facing surface.
The adjustment mechanism extends between the frame and the box and includes a pair of threaded members threadedly engaged with the flange.
The electrical box assembly further includes a cover pivotally secured to the frame by a hinge and is movable between an open and closed position. The hinge includes at least one clip for permitting the cover to be selectively removed and attached to the frame. The cover includes at least one slot formed therein which is adapted to permit a power cord to extend therethrough when the cover is in the closed position.
The present invention further provides a recessed electrical box assembly including a box having a base wall bounded by a sidewall extending therefrom forming a housing. The sidewall has an upper end forming a first opening. A flange extends outwardly in a transverse direction from the box upper portion, and the flange is bounded by a collar extending outwardly therefrom. The collar forms a second opening, the second opening being larger than the first opening. A frame is provided having a second sidewall forming a third opening. The second sidewall is adjustably positionable within the second opening. Further provided is an adjustment mechanism for moving the frame relative to the box, and the adjustment member extending between the frame and the flange.


A device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of pasty material. The device is formed from two juxtaposed formable sheets including, respectively, a compartment forming a volume housing the measured quantity and a passage forming a duct for ejection of the measured quantity, as well as deformable membrane constituting a sealing mechanism which separates the compartment from the passage. The invention is applicable to packaging and dispensation of measured quantities of a pasty material.

In the sphere of packaging of measured quantities of materials, in particular unitary measured quantities, conventional practice calls for packaging the liquid or pasty substances in small cushions which can be cut or torn in order to allow access to the liquid or pasty material. Patent No. EP-A-0 178 918 describes a form of tearable packaging for liquid or pasty substance which results from the development of this type of packaging. As regards packaging of individual solid objects, in particular drug packaging, the packaging is conventionally produced using a sheet of formable material comprising compartments in which the objects to be packaged are placed, and the compartments are sealed by attaching the surface of the formable sheet which extends away form the compartments to a sheet of material, which, since it has a lesser resistance than the formable sheet, can be torn by crushing said compartment and exerting pressure on the object contained therein.

Device for storage and dispensation of measured quantities of pasty materials and process for its embodiment


A reciprocating press is configured to press articles while moving in synchronicity with a conveyor belt carrying the articles. The press is driven through a rack and pinion system. The press can be used for pressing any type of article, including, but without limitation, pieces of dough for forming tortillas.

1. Field of the Invention
The present application is directed to a press for use with a continuously moving conveyor belt, such as, for example, a press for flattening dough pieces into tortillas on a moving conveyor belt.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of the manufacture of dough-based food products such as tortillas, a difficulty arises in the portion of the manufacturing process directed to pressing the dough into flat shapes. One cause of such a problem is that bread dough is somewhat elastic. Thus, pressing a ball of such dough into a flat pancake or tortilla-like shape requires a significant amount of work.
One type of device developed for pressing balls of dough into tortilla shapes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,358 issued to Rubio, et al., Apr. 9, 1991. Such a press includes upper and lower platens which are mounted to a reciprocating frame. The frame is driven so as to reciprocate along a path that is parallel to the movement of the upper surface of a moving conveyor belt. As balls of dough are moved on the conveyor belt, between the platens, the reciprocating frame is moved at the same speed as the conveyor belt while the platens are pressed together, thereby flattening a plurality of balls of dough into tortilla shapes. The platens are then moved away from each other as they are slowed and returned back to a starting position. As such, the press can simultaneously flatten a plurality of pieces of dough without requiring the conveyor belt to stop.
The drive mechanism of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,358 patent for driving the platen support incorporates an electric motor, a drive belt driven by the motor, a gear reduction device having an rotating output shaft, and an oscillator drive. The oscillator drive includes gear configured to convert the rotating motion of the output shaft of the gear reduction device into an oscillating motion of a pivot arm. The pivot arm is connected to the reciprocating frame so as to move the press in the forward and backward directions.
Another type of system, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,503, issued to Buerkle, Feb. 14, 1995, uses a single electric motor driving both the conveyor belt and another mechanism for reciprocating the reciprocating frame. The system incorporates a number of gear reduction devices and chains or drive belts.
Other known systems have used hydraulic rams to reciprocate platen supports for pressing dough pieces into flat shapes. For example, British Patent No. 1,504,171 issued to Bibbe, et al., discloses a press for pressing dough pieces into piecrusts. The press is driven by a hydraulic ram forwards and backwards along the direction of the movement of a conveyor belt carrying the dough pieces.


A chair (10) has a chair frame (20) with a seat base (22), a seat cushion (30) sized and adapted for removable placement in the seat base and a chair back (26), attached to the seat base. A cover assembly for use therewith has a web (32) of water-resistant material, with first and second ends (34, 36) and a biased, window-shade type spring roller (50), positioned in the seat base. The first end of the web of water resistant material is attached to the spring roller and the second end of the web of water resistant material is provided with means for removably attaching the second end to the chair frame. In a first, deployed condition, the web of water-resistant material extends across a top surface of the seat cushion; and in a second, non-deployed condition, the web of water-resistant material is rolled onto the biased, window-shade type spring roller.

Outdoor furniture is a very popular item. Some of this furniture, when constructed from wood, metal or a polymeric material, can be left out in the weather without significant adverse effects. However, when cushions are used on seating surfaces of the furniture, it is customary to either remove the cushions or cover them with a separate cover during periods of inclement weather or extended non-use.
Furniture covers present at least a few problems. In strong winds, they can be blown away. When removed, they need to be stowed away. This latter problem can be particularly troublesome when the furniture is used on a terrace of a high-rise building, for example, where the owner may be short on storage space
Some examples of furniture covers in the prior art include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,309,017 and 6,709,055. However, neither of these patents teach a furniture cover that is stored inside the piece of outdoor furniture, from which it can deployed into a protective condition on the furniture.


A stereo type eye fundus camera has an illumination optical system for illuminating the fundus of an eye to be tested, and a stereo type image formation optical system for simultaneously forming an image of the eye fundus on a sheet of film based on a reflected light from the eye fundus. The stereo type eye fundus camera also has a density pattern member for forming a density pattern image on the eye fundus.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a stereo eye fundus camera or an eye fundus camera for illuminating the fundus of an eye to be tested through an objective lens and guiding a reflected beam of light from the eye fundus to a stereo type image formation optical system in order to stereoscopically observe the eye fundus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, a stereo type eye fundus camera has an illumination optical system for illuninating the eye fundus through an objective lens. The illumination light is reflected by the eye fundus. A reflected beam of light from the eye fundus is split by a two-aperture diaphragm. The reflected beam which was split by the two-aperture diaphragm, is guided to a stereo type image formation optical system. And a man can stereoscopically observe the eye fundus by the stereo type image formation optical system.
Also, such split reflected beams are simultaneously separately imaged on respective portions of a sheet of film by the stereo type image formation optical system. By this, a pair of eye fundus images having a parallax are taken on a sheet of photograph.
Analysis of a three-dimensional configuration of the eye fundus is performed by comparing the pair of eye fundus images taken on the sheet of photograph. That is, various component parts of one fundus image are compared with the corresponding component parts of the other eye fundus image. And parallax is measured for each component part. By this, the three-dimensional configuration of the eye fundus is analyzed.
However, there are parts having uniform reflection factors in the eye fundus. There is also a part, like a papilla, having a high reflection factor in the eye fundus.
In such a case like this, when the eye fundus is taken using the conventional stereo type eye fundus camera, the eye fundus is taken as a plane image having a vague border even if there are irregularities on the eye fundus because the portion having uniform reflection factors is low in contrast. Therefore, it is difficult to compare the various component parts of a portion having the uniform reflection factors of one eye fundus image with the corresponding component parts of a portion having the uniform reflection factors of the other eye fundus image, and it is very difficult to three-dimensionally analyze the configuration of the eye fundus.
On the other hand, the papilla portion has a high reflection factor. Therefore, when the papilla is taken, it becomes overexposure. As a consequence, the analysis of the three-dimensional configuration of the papilla portion is difficult.


An approach to selectively recording trace data. The approach sifts through process control and state data to store data that is most relevant to aiding debugging while reducing the overall amount of data that is stored in a trace data set by a trace facility. The approach may involve initiating a trace operation for the software component and, for each resource of the software component, determining whether the resource is currently in use. For those resources in use, the current state of the resource is compared with the previous state of the resource. If the current state has changed, the current state is written to the trace data set. If the resource is not in use, or the current state has not changed, no entry is made to the trace data set. The approach may also analyze users to determine which resources the users are holding and/or waiting for.

Software problems frequently crop up even in well-designed applications. One tool that developers use to detect and debug software problems is a trace facility. A trace facility logs information about the operations of software in order to facilitate debugging and diagnostic efforts. The software tracing provides information that is useful for programmers and developers when debugging the software. The tracing is often performed at a low level in the software.
Because tracing is often performed at a low level, it can generate large amounts of data. Having such large amounts of data can generate various problems. It can be difficult for programmers to sift through such large amounts of data in order to find a bug. Saving such large amounts of data can have a negative impact on the lifespan of the trace data; for example, many trace facilities store trace data in a file or data set that wraps when the file is filled. If the trace data is filling the file with irrelevant data, valuable information can be lost when the trace facility starts overwriting earlier data. Valuable trace data can be overwritten with less valuable trace data when the trace facility is logging large numbers of events.
In addition, the trace facility can impact performance in the system when it is writing large amounts of data. A large number of write commands may be generated as the software executes in order to preserve that trace data in the appropriate file or other data structure. These frequent write commands can have a negative impact on how the software performs when the trace facility is active. As a result, a programmer may disable the trace facility at compile time or run time. If an error occurs and the trace facility is turned off, the programmer does not have the benefit of the trace data in attempting to debug the error. Furthermore, having a trace facility that negatively impacts performance decreases the likelihood that the trace facility can be enabled on software provided to a customer. As a result, the programmer may not have access to what would be valuable information about errors occurring during actual operation of the software by the customers.

International Business Machines Corporation


An electronic component is conditioned to remove distortion in a temperature response characteristic due to a temperature hysteresis effect, by subjecting the component to a controlled temperature variation prior to operation of the component at a given temperature. A circuit is disclosed wherein the component is a zener reference element and a bias voltage of cyclical waveform and of reducing magnitude is applied to a control transistor to cause corresponding variation of the temperature of the zener via an on-chip heater. The zener is subsequently operated at a normal bias voltage corresponding to the mean value of the cyclic waveform.

This invention concerns a method and apparatus for conditioning an electronic component having a characteristic subject to distortion following a change in temperature.
Highly accurate electronic measuring or generating instruments such as DMMs, calibrators and transfer standards utilise precision electronic components as their internal reference sources. Sometimes these components are used virtually in isolation as transfer standards. Most common of these components is the zener diode or composite zener/transistor reference used for voltage references and the resistor used as a resistance or impedance reference.
For highest accuracies these components are usually operated at a controlled temperature either to limit errors due to variation of reference value with temperature or to protect the component from permanent or semi-permanent change in value due to operation at a non-normal temperature. It is the latter situation which is of interest because, typically, components subjected to temperature excursions away from their normal operating temperature exhibit a memory effect where the reference value changes following the temperature excursion and may or may not recover over a period of time. This is commonly referred to as temperature hysteresis and is thought to be due largely to mechanical stress being induced by the temperature excursion and some of it being "locked in".
However, when components of an apparatus have been subjected to extremes of temperature such as may occur during transport, even the subsequent operation thereof at a controlled temperature may be insufficient to restore such induced changes, and the accuracy of the apparatus will therefore become affected by gradual changes in the characteristics of precision components, or by a permanent but not irreversible stepwise change in value.

Method and apparatus for conditioning an electronic component having a characteristic subject to variation with temperature


A vehicle display lift has a vertical mast containing a hoist mechanism which raises and lowers a movable carriage. A cantilever support member connected to the carriage extends outwardly from the mast and has a vehicle support frame on its outer end which receives and supports a vehicle. A low ramp allows the vehicle to be driven onto the support frame at ground level whereupon the hoist mechanism is activated so that the carriage is lifted and guided within the mast causing the vehicle support frame and vehicle to be elevated. The location of the vehicle on the pivotally attached vehicle support frame is such that the center of gravity is forward of the pivot thereby forcing the frame and vehicle to tilt forward as they are elevated until a predetermined tilt angle is achieved at which time the tilting action stops as the elevation continues. The elevation by the hoist mechanism continues until the carriage reaches the top of the vertical mast where activation of a limit switch by the carriage disables the raising circuit of the hoist control. A spring loaded safety latch engages the carriage as it nears the top of the mast as a precaution against failure of the hoist line and is disengaged by the lowering circuit. A sign secured at the upper portion of the vertical mast or on the carriage displays advertising information relative to the vehicle on display.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to vehicle lifts, and more particularly to a vehicle display lift which displays an advertising message, lifts a vehicle from the ground to an elevated display position, tilts the vehicle to an optimum viewing angle, holds the vehicle in the elevated and tilted position for display purposes, and lowers the vehicle back to ground level.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Different configurations of vehicle lifts have been used for many years for the purpose of elevating a vehicle to a convenient height for access beneath for servicing or repairs. These devices although accomplishing the task of elevating a vehicle are not suitable for the purpose of advertising display by elevating a vehicle to a great height, projected it away from the supporting structure, tilting it to an optimum display angle and holding it for extended periods in an outdoor environment with exposure to the elements and substantial wind loading.
There have also been observed various means of supporting a vehicle above ground level for advertising or display purposes. One means is to lift the vehicle by crane or other means to the top of a pole where it is permanently or semi-permanently attached. These means are effective in displaying a vehicle but elevating the vehicle into position is so costly, inconvenient and time consuming that it is seldom used except for permanently mounted vehicles. This is not desirable for new or used car sales where the vehicle model should be changed frequently. Another frequently used means is an elevated ramp structure upon which a vehicle can be driven on or off as desired. This allows relatively convenient changing of vehicles but the small gain in elevation afforded by the ramp does little towards drawing attention to the vehicle.
Although the use of signs in advertising is also well known, heretofore, there has been no use of a sign as an integral part of a vehicle lift which displays the vehicle for advertising purposes, nor have there been signs that elevate with the vehicle.
There are several patents which disclose various vehicle hoist and lift apparatus.
Villars, U.S. Pat. No. 2,843,222 discloses a lifting device having a column formed of two H-shaped beams. An elongate actuating screw and traveling nut mechanism is housed within the beams and driven by a motor mounted on the exterior of the beams to move a slide member on the exterior of the beams vertically. A pair of arms extend outwardly from the slide to receive an automobile to be lifted.
Vilter, U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,828 discloses a boat lift and mooring device which comprises a boat lifting unit supported from parallel spaced vertical columns. The boat lifting unit has a pair of parallel cantilever arms which are engageable under the hull of a boat and connected to the columns by rollers. The lifting unit is moved vertically by a hydraulic ram hoisting mechanism.
Tourmey, U.S. Pat. No. 3,666,053 discloses vehicle lift employing a hydraulic ram mounted on a base plate above which is secured a vehicle lift plate. The lift plate is connected to a top plate at the top of the piston which has a pair of sprockets at each side and a pair of chains passing over it and having one end connected to the upper end of the cylinder and their other end connected to the lift plate. Alternatively, a pair of sheaves and flexible cables may be used. The hoisting mechanism is exposed on the exterior of the ram.
Mason, U.S. Pat. No. 3,734,466 discloses a lift device for rotatably supporting snowmobiles longitudinally between a pair of upright spaced posts for display and repair. The posts are supported on a flat surface by a pair of U-shaped bases. A supporting assembly is slidably mounted on the exterior of each post to be connected to the front and rear of the snowmobile by rotatable hubs. A ratcheting hand operated winch lifts the supporting assemblies with a cable looped over a pulley at the top of each post and its end connected to the supporting member.
Sipia, U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,048 discloses a vehicle lifting device comprising a pair of spaced apart J-shaped bearers. The bearers are provided with mounting plates whereby the front and rear wheel hubs on one side of the vehicle may be secured to the bearers. The vehicle may be rotated sideways through more than 90.degree. for inspection, maintenance, or display.
Van Stokes, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,938 discloses a vehicle parking system wherein upper and lower platforms are adapted to be moved upward for supporting vehicles above the ground.
The present invention is distinguished over the prior art in general, and these patents in particular by a vehicle display lift having a vertical mast containing a hoist mechanism which raises and lowers a movable carriage. A cantilever support member connected to the carriage extends outwardly from the mast and has a vehicle support frame on its outer end which receives and supports a vehicle. A low ramp allows the vehicle to be driven onto the support frame at ground level whereupon the hoist mechanism is activated so that the carriage is lifted and guided within the mast causing the vehicle support frame and vehicle to be elevated. The location of the vehicle on the pivotally attached vehicle support frame is such that the center of gravity is forward of the pivot thereby forcing the frame and vehicle to tilt forward as they are elevated until a predetermined tilt angle is achieved at which time the tilting action stops as the elevation continues. The elevation by the hoist mechanism continues until the carriage reaches the top of the vertical mast where activation of a limit switch by the carriage disables the raising circuit of the hoist control. A spring loaded safety latch engages the carriage as it nears the top of the mast as a precaution against failure of the hoist line and is disengaged by the lowering circuit. A sign secured at the upper portion of the vertical mast or on the carriage displays advertising information relative to the vehicle on display.


A liquid preservative composition comprises (a) an alkanol fatty monoester; and (b) an aqueous isothiazolinone solution, an alkanol-substituted aromatic compound, or a combination thereof; and is free from formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing compounds, and paraben compounds. Preferred compositions comprise glyceryl caprylate, together with either phenethyl alcohol or an aqueous 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one solution.

It is widely known that there is a growing demand for personal care and cosmetic products that are free from certain components perceived to be potentially harmful, which are found in many common preservative (i.e., antimicrobial) compositions. In particular, there is a strong demand in the marketplace for use in consumer and industrial products generally for alternatives to common preservative materials such as formaldehyde-releasing compounds (due to the known hazards of formaldehyde), phenolic compounds, certain paraben compounds (i.e., para-hydroxybenzoate esters), and certain halogenated compounds.
Known alternatives to such compounds are the fatty glyceryl monoester materials developed by Kabara, such as glyceryl laurate, glyceryl caprylate, and the like. These high monoester-containing materials tend to have relatively weak antimicrobial activity compared to traditional preservatives, however. In addition, many of the monoesters are solids at room temperature, and may require excessive heating to incorporate them into cosmetic or personal care products. The use of heat to dissolve or admix components in cosmetic and personal care product manufacturing processes can lead to undesirable side reactions, degradation of key ingredients, and discoloration in some cases, and is uneconomically energy intensive.
There is an ongoing need for new liquid preservative compositions for use in cosmetics and personal care products, especially, which are free from formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing compounds, phenolic compounds, paraben compounds, and preferably free from halogenated compounds, while still maintaining a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, and which can be formulated into personal care and cosmetic products without undue heating. The present invention fulfills these needs.


A motorized flosser comprising an elongated body and a flossing head secured to an end portion of the elongated body. The flossing head oscillates in an arcuate manner. A battery powered motor drives a drive mechanism which reciprocates an output drive shaft, which drive shaft is in turn connected through a flexible drive rod to a drive disc. The drive disc oscillates in a rotary arcuate motion to impart either pure rotary arcuate oscillatory motion or a combined rotary arcuate motion and translatory motion to flossing material carried by a yoke of the flossing head. The flossing head may incorporate a toothpaste holder mounted upon the flossing head or toothbrush bristles mounted upon tines of the yoke of the flossing head.

The importance of practicing proper dental hygiene has been well documented. In this regard, it is extremely advantageous to frequently and systematically remove plaque and debris from around and between an individual's teeth. Failure to religiously remove debris and plaque from between and around teeth is likely to lead to dental disease including tooth decay, gingivitis and the like.
Conventional flossing often requires one to put his or her hands in his or her mouth. This may lead to illness due to the increased potential of the spread of bacteria. Another drawback with conventional flossing is that the used dental floss must be properly discarded in a trash receptacle or other appropriate location. Due to the flexible nature of used dental floss it is often difficult to discard the used piece of dental floss in the location the user wishes to discard it. The conventional manual method of flossing one's teeth is cumbersome due to the difficulty in maneuvering a piece of dental floss to the desired position in one's mouth. Individuals with small mouths have a particularly difficult time of flossing using the manual method. Another difficulty with conventional flossing is that it is difficult to fit the floss between teeth which are tightly squeezed together. It often requires a great deal of time, force and effort to properly locate the piece of dental floss for it to fit between two adjacent teeth. Another drawback with conventional flossing is that the gingival sulcus, the area on the gum line between teeth, commonly does not get cleaned or rubbed free of debris.
Therefore, there is a need for a flossing apparatus which is easy to use while keeping one's hands out of one's mouth, which is able to more easily fit a piece of floss between adjacent tight teeth, and which is able to clean the gingival sulcus.
Motorized toothbrushes are known. The commercial market has seen the introduction of many different types of motorized toothbrushes over the last several years. The tendency in the technology is towards more complex, expensive and non-commercially feasible methods of achieving motorized motions in the bristles and heads of toothbrushes. Related U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,000,083; 6,178,579; 6,189,693 and 6,360,395 disclose motorized toothbrushes in which batteries in the handle of the toothbrush power a motor in the handle to oscillate or rotate an elongated shaft which is so connected as to effect a circular motion of bristles in the toothbrush head. Each of these U.S. patents is fully incorporated by reference herein. The oscillation of the elongated shaft causes oscillation of a circular portion of the head to which a plurality of bristles are attached.
Motorized flossing devices are also known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,041 discloses a motorized flosser for removing debris from between teeth and around teeth. The motorized flosser has a flossing implement detachably connected to the main body of the instrument. The flossing implement has a pair of tines between which extends a piece of floss. When activated, a motor reciprocates an output shaft which causes the flossing instrument to reciprocate. One drawback to such apparatus is that this straight reciprocal movement of the piece of dental floss does not adequately clean debris such as food particles from teeth. The piece or length of floss does not sweep across the teeth but instead only rubs against a very small area of the teeth.
It is further well known to convert a power driven toothbrush into a power driven flossing device by changing the heads on the end of a battery powered hand held instrument. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,078 discloses a detachable flosser head for a motorized toothbrush. A drive shaft in the handle assembly reciprocates causing the flosser head to reciprocate. Again, this straight reciprocal movement of the piece of dental floss does not adequately clean debris such as food particles from teeth.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,711 discloses another power driven toothbrush which may be converted to a power driven flossing device.
Another inherent drawback with known motorized flossers is that they do not adequately remove biofilm from the surface of teeth. Biofilm is a well organized community of cooperating microorganisms. One commonly known biofilm which forms on tooth surfaces is called plaque. Biofilms may be easily destroyed simply by wiping them with a brush or other mechanically abrasive material, disrupting attachment to their substrate.
Therefore, there is a need for a powered flossing apparatus which adequately removes biofilm from the surface of teeth, promotes regular flossing and is easy to use.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A self-adjustable mobile force balanced grape and raisin harvester is disclosed having a pair of driven oscillating shaker heads mounted on sub-frames enabling each shaker head to center itself on the row of grape vines being harvested even when the foliage of the vines are not aligned in a linear path. The harvester is also provided with a pair of stretchable belts mounted on interconnected plastic chain links for reliably transporting grapes or raisins to an elongated discharge conveyor which is positioned transversely when collecting and discharging grapes from the harvester and is pivoted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle when moving along roadways.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mobile grape and raisin harvesters and more specifically to harvesters for dry grapes which are supported on vines that are severed from the trunks of the vines and are left to dry in the sun while supported on the vines as raisins before being shook from the vines by the mobile harvester and collected by the harvester of the present invention. Alternately, the harvester can be used to remove grapes still attached to the vines and nourished by nutrients in the soil and be sold as wine grapes or grapes to be consumed by the public.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Assignee's Orlando U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,682 and divisional U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,190 covers an apparatus for shaking grapes from rows of vines by using eccentric weights which are mounted on shaker arms which have spaced elongated striker bars that are oscillated against the trunks of the grape vines and posts which support trellis wires that have clusters of grapes trained thereover which fall on take-away conveyors for transfer to collecting means.
Assignee's Orlando U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,521 is similar to the two above Orlando patents except that striker bars are used to resiliently whip foliage hanging from trellis wires which are supported by posts.
Assignee's Scudder U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,062 discloses a coffee harvester which utilizes an eccentric weight arrangement mounted on the upper ends of two shaker units for oscillating shafts carrying tines which dislodge coffee beans from the plants.
Assignee's Scudder U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,836 discloses a tractor drawn trailer having a vertical wall to which cantilever beams are pivotally connected. A single oscillating shaker unit is journaled in the two beams for moving the single oscillating shaker unit different distances from the vines being harvested. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are connected to rear wheels to maintain the axis of the shaker unit substantially vertical when harvesting fruit such as berries and coffee.

Self-adjusting force balance radial grape and raisin harvester


A holder (1) adapted for use for a portable device and having a windable strap. The holder (1) includes a case body (4) having an upper case (3) and a lower case (2); the strap (10); a strap winding drum (20) for winding the strap (10) on it; a drive spring (30) for applying bias in the direction of winding the strap to the strap winding drum (20); strap openings (50), each functioning as the entrance and exit for the strap (10); and a fixation mechanism (40) for controlling a mechanism for receiving the strap (10). To pull out the strap (10), a user places one finger on a slope member (51) of the upper case (3), places another finger on the rear side of the strap (10), and pulls out the strap (10). Even if the strap is frequently pulled out, the strap does not have a permanent set.

There has been known a holder for a portable device that is able to be hung from a neck of a user by attaching a tape-like strap to a part of a portable electronic device such as a digital camera or a cell phone, an ID card such as a company ID card used in the company or a security card, or the like, when the user carries the portable electronic device, the ID card or the like.
As an art related to this holder for the portable device, a holder for a portable device is disclosed which has a strap whose length is adjustable by automatically winding up the strap with biasing force of a spring of a strap winding drum inside the holder for the portable device (for example, refer to patent literature 1).
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No. 9-299128


A method for optimized monitoring and identification of AMI device communication failures in an AMI network is provided. A graphical representation of AMI devices is generated comprising nodes corresponding to AMI devices and links representing connectivity between AMI devices. The graphical representation is generated based on data associated with AMI devices retrieved via AMI network in real time. Further, properties of the AMI devices are computed using the graphical representation based on values associated with the nodes corresponding to the AMI devices. The graphical representation is modified based on the computed properties and predefined rules. Nodes in the modified graphical representation are selected and processed in an order based on AMI device hierarchy, priority and criticality. Further, the graphical representation is modified based on processing of selected nodes. AMI device with communication failures are identified from at least one of the generated and modified graphical representation of AMI devices.

Nowadays, various electric utility companies are upgrading their electricity metering assets to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network. An electric utility company is a power source that involves generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity for public consumption. AMI network is an architecture which comprises various non-Internet Protocol (non-IP) based devices and IP based devices and facilitates measuring and recording electricity usage data at predefined time intervals via various communication channels. The non-IP devices include advanced electricity metering devices (referred hereinafter as smart meters) which are electronic meters that record electricity consumption, load, billing and other metering data based on programmed logic. The smart meters are capable of transmitting the stored data to data-centers of electric utility company via the various communication channels upon request. The IP devices include network access points, relays etc. of the AMI network which facilitate two-way communication between the smart meters and the data-centers of electric utility companies via the various communication channels.
For optimal functioning of the smart meters, communication connectivity of all the AMI devices in the AMI network is a vital necessity. Communication failure of the smart meters or any other device in the AMI network disrupts the operation of the AMI network. Conventionally, in the event of a communication failure, faulty non-IP devices (i.e. smart meters) are detected by either identifying missing data or discovering Network Interface Card (NIC) communication failure event generated by the smart meters. However, this can be done only after network connectivity is restored, which may take any time ranging from a few minutes to a few days. This is so, as typically, the smart meters after experiencing a communication failure generate an event and store the event data, which can be collected and processed only after the network is restored.
Another conventional technique for detecting faulty IP devices and non-IP devices may include sequential mass pinging of the devices at regular intervals (for example using Internet Control Message protocol (ICMP) ping for AMI IP devices and data ping for AMI non-IP devices). Sequential mass pinging is a time-consuming process, and moreover, mass pinging of devices may also cause network packet bursts due to multiple packet flows and multiple packet arrival rates consuming the available limited bandwidth for AMI network and vast number of AMI devices. Accordingly, for IP and non-IP devices separate techniques exist for detecting communication failures. In addition, the above mentioned techniques entail cumbersome monitoring services and large communications overhead, even, in a small geographic area of the AMI devices. Further, in case of a large network, using abovementioned techniques to monitor and detect AMI device connectivity becomes infeasible.
In light of the abovementioned disadvantages, there is a need for a method and system for efficiently detecting communication failures of AMI devices with minimal communications overhead. Also, there is a need for a method and system for optimized monitoring and identification of AMI device communication failures. In addition, there is a need for a method and system for real time monitoring and detection of AMI device communication failures. Further, there is a need for a method and system that facilitates detecting all AMI IP and AMI non-IP device communication failures. Furthermore, there is a need for a method and system for identifying AMI devices experiencing communication failures in large network with minimum communication overhead.

Method and system for optimized monitoring and identification of advanced metering infrastructure device communication failures

Cognizant Technology Solutions India Pvt. Ltd.


A current sensing analog to digital converter (CS-ADC) is disclosed. The current sensing analog to digital converter comprises a modulator adapted to sense a change in current and generate an oversampled signal. The converter further includes a decimation filter system coupled to modulator for removing out of band noise from the signal and reduce the data rate to achieve a high resolution signal. A current sensing analog to digital converter (CS-ADC) is disclosed that samples the charge or discharge current flowing through an external sense resistor RSENSE. The sample from the RSENSE is processed by a delta-sigma modulator which generates an over sampled noise shaped signal. From this signal a decimation filter system removes the out-of band noise and reduces the data rate to achieve a high-resolution signal. The CS-ADC also provides regular current detection. The regular current detection compares the data from conversion against charge/discharge threshold levels specified by the user. To save power a special mode where the user configures the regular current sampling interval is provided. This allows ultra-low power operation in power-save mode when small charge or discharge currents are flowing.

In many electronic systems such as systems powered from rechargeable batteries or the like it is important to monitor the current flow in the system. It is important that the current can be measured both quickly to monitor the instantaneous current at a given time, and accurately with high resolution to enable accurate accumulation of the charge flow over time.
In addition it is desirable to provide power saving modes to minimize power consumed to the device. For example, it is desirable to minimize power when the device is not actually being used.
Accordingly it is desirable to sense current flow and provide a mode where the device is not active. Once again this condition must be sensed and measured.
Accordingly, what is desired is a system and method for accurately and quickly detecting current flow in a system. The system and method should be easily implemented in a device, be cost effective and easily adapted to conventional devices.
The present invention addresses such a need.

Current sensing analog to digital converter and method of use


According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistance effect element includes first and second magnetic layers having an axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a film surface, a first nonmagnetic layer formed between the first and second magnetic layers, a first interface magnetic layer formed between the first magnetic layer and the first nonmagnetic layer, and a second nonmagnetic layer formed in the first interface magnetic layer and having an amorphous structure. An electric current flowing through the first magnetic layer, the first nonmagnetic layer, and the second magnetic layer makes a magnetization direction in the first magnetic layer variable.

Recently, a magnetic random access memory (to be referred to as an MRAM hereinafter) using the magnetoresistance effect of a ferromagnetic material is awakening an increasing interest as a next-generation, solid-state nonvolatile memory having a high read/write speed and large capacity and capable of a low-power-consumption operation. In particular, a magnetoresistance effect element having a magnetic tunnel junction (to be referred to as an MTJ hereinafter) has attracted attention since the element was found to have a high magnetoresistance change ratio.
The MTJ basically has a three-layered structure including a storage layer having a variable magnetization direction, an insulator layer, and a reference layer maintaining a predetermined magnetization direction. When an electric current is supplied to this MTJ, the electric current flows by tunneling through the insulator layer. In this state, the resistance of the junction portion changes in accordance with the relative angle between the magnetization directions of the storage layer and reference layer. For example, the resistance takes a minimal value when the magnetization directions are parallel, and a maximal value when they are antiparallel. This resistance change is called a tunneling magneto-resistance effect (to be referred to as a TMR effect hereinafter). When using a magnetoresistance effect element having the MTJ as a memory cell, information is stored by making the parallel and antiparallel states of magnetization in the storage layer and reference layer (i.e., the minimal and maximal of the resistance) correspond to "0" and "1" of binary information. Note that the parallel and antiparallel states of magnetization may also be made to correspond to "1" and "0" of binary information.
As a method of writing information in the magnetoresistance effect element, a magnetic field writing method is known in which a write wiring is formed near a memory cell and only the magnetization direction in the storage layer is reversed by a current magnetic field generated when an electric current flows. When the element size is decreased in order to implement a large-capacity memory, however, the coercive force (Hc) of a magnetic material forming the storage layer increases in principle, so an electric current necessary for write increases as the element is downsized. On the other hand, the current magnetic field from the write wiring decreases in principle as the cell size decreases. In the magnetic field writing method, therefore, it is difficult to achieve both the downsizing of a cell required for large-capacity design and the reduction in write current.
On the other hand, as a write method of solving this problem, a writing (spin transfer torque writing) method using spin-momentum-transfer (SMT) has recently been proposed. This method reverses the magnetization direction in the storage layer by supplying a spin polarization current to the magnetoresistance effect element. In addition, the smaller the volume of a magnetic layer forming the storage layer, the smaller the amount of spin-polarized electrons to be injected. Accordingly, the method is expected as a writing method capable of achieving both the downsizing of an element and a low electric current.
When downsizing an element in order to achieve a large capacity, however, the energy barrier for maintaining the magnetization direction in the storage layer in one direction, i.e., the magnetic anisotropic energy becomes smaller than the thermal energy. Consequently, the problem that the magnetization direction of the magnetic material fluctuates (a thermal disturbance) and stored information cannot be maintained any longer becomes conspicuous.
The energy barrier required to reverse the magnetization direction is generally represented by the product of a magnetic anisotropy constant (the magnetic anisotropic energy per unit volume) and a magnetization reversal unit volume. To ensure a resistance to the thermal disturbance in a fine-element-size region, therefore, it is necessary to select a material having a large magnetic anisotropy constant. In-plane magnetization type arrangements mainly examined up to date generally use magnetic shape anisotropy. To increase the magnetic anisotropic energy in this case, it is necessary to, e.g., increase the aspect ratio of the magnetoresistance effect element, increase the film thickness of the storage layer, or increase the saturation magnetization of the storage layer. When the features of the spin transfer torque writing method are taken into consideration, however, all of these measures increase a reversal current and hence are unsuitable for downsizing.
On the other hand, it is also possible to use a material having high magnetocrystalline anisotropy instead of the magnetic shape anisotropy. In this case, however, the axis of easy magnetization in the in-plane direction largely disperses in the film surface. This decreases the MR ratio (Magnetoresistance ratio), and as a consequence the reversal current increases. Accordingly, this measure is also unfavorable. Furthermore, since the in-plane magnetization type arrangement uses magnetic anisotropy that appears in accordance with the shape, the reversal current is sensitive to the variation in shape. Consequently, the variation in reversal current may increase with the advance of downsizing.
By contrast, a so-called perpendicular magnetization magnetic film having the axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to the film surface can be used as a ferromagnetic material forming the magnetoresistance effect element. When using magnetocrystalline anisotropy in this perpendicular magnetization type arrangement, the element size can be made smaller than that of the in-plane magnetization type arrangement because no shape anisotropy is used. In addition, the dispersion in the direction of easy magnetization can be decreased. Accordingly, the use of a material having high magnetocrystalline anisotropy is expected to achieve both downsizing and a low electric current while maintaining the thermal disturbance resistance.
Examples of a material system for use in the perpendicular magnetization film are an L10 or L11 ordered alloy system (e.g., FePt and CoPt), an artificial lattice system (Co/Pt and Pd), an hcp system (e.g., CoPt), and an RE-TM system (e.g., Tb—CoFe).
The reversal current for reversing magnetization by the spin transfer torque writing method generally depends on saturation magnetization Ms and a magnetic damping constant α of the storage layer. To reverse the magnetization of the storage layer by the spin transfer torque of a low electric current, therefore, it is important to decrease the saturation magnetization Ms and magnetic damping constant α. Also, a device must resist the processing temperature. However, the MTJ is generally formed by a multilayered structure of a plurality of metal films. During an element fabrication process including annealing, therefore, the structure changes in the interface between different types of metals, and the magnetic characteristics readily deteriorate. Accordingly, there is no material that satisfies all of the above-mentioned characteristics necessary for the perpendicular magnetization film as a storage layer.

Magnetoresistance effect element and magnetic memory


A front syringe attachment is provided for mounting on a syringe cylinder of hypodermic syringes for subcutaneous injection, particularly for use in veterinary medicine, which substantially includes a first hollow-cylindrical barrel and a second hollow-cylindrical barrel of smaller diameter which is arranged in the latter in a telescoping manner, wherein the end of the first barrel facing the syringe cylinder is fastened to the syringe cylinder and the end of the second barrel facing the syringe cylinder can be pushed into the first barrel against a spring arranged in the first barrel, and the ends of the two barrels on the injecting side have a step-like or stair-like construction, wherein the end of the second barrel on the injecting side projects beyond the end of the first barrel on the injecting side in the rest position and completely covers the hypodermic needle.

a) Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a front syringe attachment for mounting on syringe cylinders of hypodermic syringes for subcutaneous injection, particularly for use in veterinary medicine.
b) Related Art
Such hypodermic syringes for use in veterinary medicine frequently take the form of inoculation guns and are used by veterinarians for mass inoculation of animals. These inoculation guns are provided with a motor-driven injection plunger and the syringe cylinder is automatically filled after every inoculation process by feeding the inoculant from an external supply container connected with the inoculation gun via a tube so that the individual inoculations can be carried out relatively quickly one after the other (DE-OS-40 19 656).
In the case of cattle intended for slaughter, a special inoculation technique is used so as not to damage the quality of the flesh for later consumption by injected medications, namely subcutaneous injection, i.e., the inoculant is injected between the skin H and layers of muscle M located below the skin, whereby the veterinarian forms a fold of skin, the so-called "subcutaneous tent", by pinching the layer of skin with his fingers before inserting the needle. The inoculation gun with the needle is then placed against this "subcutaneous tent", the needle is inserted into the fold of skin, and the inoculant is injected.
This injection technique, however, requires that the veterinarian perform the inoculation with both hands, i.e., he does not have a free hand for holding the animal to be inoculated, another person is needed for this.
A hypodermic syringe of the type mentioned above is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,334, in which its positioning on the animal's body is facilitated by an angled, slotted attachment.
DE-OS 30 12 851 discloses a device for facilitating the subcutaneous injection of insulin in which a diagonally slit tube encloses the hypodermic needle and tenses the skin when pressed against the skin.

Front syringe attachment for hypodermic syringes for subcutaneous injection in veterinary medicine


Tools capable of improving the accuracy of decision feedback equalization (DFE) are described. The tools may adapt a DFE using a more-equal distribution of signals than those actually received. The tools may do so by disregarding, averaging, or weighting certain signals when adapting the DFE when those signals represent an unequal distribution of bit patterns. In one example, the tools detect and disregard some of the signals representing idle bit patterns that are received more often than other bit patterns. The tools may also or instead compensate for a bit pattern that is never or rarely received.

Decision Feedback Equalization (DFE) equalizes signal loss and interference on a signal. This signal loss and interference is often caused by a channel between the source of the signal and the receiver of that signal.
Not only may a channel cause signal loss and interference, this loss and interference may be different for different channels, change for a particular channel, and depend on the transmission rate of the signal. In part because of this, a particular equalization cannot accurately be set without taking into account the particular channel or, even for a particular channel, without an ability to change in response to changes in the loss or interference caused by that channel. DFE addresses this by making decisions about how to equalize loss and interference based on the signals received from the source and through the channel (this is a type of feedback). In effect, DFE continues to adapt based on the signals received to take into account the particular channel and changes to that channel.
A DFE's ability to accurately equalize for loss or interference depends on the signal's randomness. A random signal, also called a white signal, is one that has or can be closely approximated to have a random distribution of frequencies within a frequency band at which the signal is transmitted. Conversely, a non-random signal is typically referred to as a colored signal. A DFE is less accurate for a colored signal in part because the color of the signal may be confused with loss or interference caused by the channel.
Many signals transmitted today—especially those transmitted at comparatively high data-transmission rates—are not simply white signals. They are colored signals. As noted above, the more colored a signal, the less accurate current DFEs may equalize that signal.

Decision feedback equalization for signals having unequally distributed patterns


A sensor device that uses a number of bragg grating (FBG) sensors and novel interrogation system with a ring cavity configuration for simultaneous time-division-multiplexex (TDM) and wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) interrogation of FBG sensors. The ring cavity includes an amplifier, and output coupler and an optical circulator. The coupler is connected to a wavelength measuring system and the optical circulator is connected to the FBG sensors. The FBG sensors can be in a number of groups. TDM interrogation is applied to each group of FBG sensors while WDM interrogation is applied to each FBG sensors within each group.

Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) has been accepted as an important sensor technology because of its self-referencing capability, large-scale multiplexing capability and immunity to electromagnetic interference. Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technique [1] can be easily employed to multiplex and interrogate FBG sensor array, and thus it is commonly used in FBG sensor applications. The number of FBG sensors that can be accommodated in a WDM-FBG sensor array is determined by the usable spectral bandwidth of the system and the wavelength-shift of each FBG sensor. On the other hand, time-division-multiplexing (TDM) technique identifies the sensing signal by gating the pulses reflected from FBGs, therefore, FBGs having identical resonant wavelengths can be deployed along the same fiber. Hence, TDM-FBG technique relieves the spectral bandwidth issue and permits the interrogation of up to 100 FBGs along a fiber. However, the reflectivity of the FBGs employed in TDM sensor systems are generally less than 5% and thus the reflected signal power is fairly weak in comparison with WDM-FBG systems.
Various TDM systems have been reported during the last decade [2-7]. The main challenge of a TDM system is to measure the sensing signal accurately because of the weak signal power reflected from low reflectivity sensors. Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) generated by an erbium-doped fiber amplifier [3] and passively mode-locked fiber laser operating in square-pulse regime [4] have been employed as sources to illuminate low reflectivity FBGs array with the objective to increase the signal power reflected from the FBGs. Another approach utilized active mode-locking technique [5] to selectively address individual FBG in a two-FBG array that act as reflectors of a linear cavity erbium-doped fiber laser. This active laser approach produces intense output power at the resonant wavelength of the selected FBG sensor. Recently, Lloyd et al. [6-7] reported a resonant TDM configuration that uses a SOA, a broadband reflector and an array of 10 FBGs to construct a linear resonant cavity sensor system, high power and high extinction ratio output signal were demonstrated by properly gating the SOA. While those prior practices are workable to various degrees, the need still exists for a simpler FBG sensor system with better performance and less construction expense.

FBG sensor interrogation method using semiconductor optical amplifier in ring cavity configuration


A method and apparatus for a gas burner head with one or more rotating burners. The gas burner head may include an outer burner and an inner burner rotating about an axis. Multiple gas burner heads may be rotatably interconnected. Rotating one or more burners within one or more gas burner heads may allow a variety of burner characteristics and/or patterns. One or more gas burner heads may be used in a variety of applications.

The present embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for a gas range integrated into a cooking appliance.
Typical gas burner heads are fixed in position on a cooktop surface and do not rotate (e.g. stationary). However, this practice of using a fixed gas burner head may concentrate the flame exiting the one or more flame ports and create uneven heating beneath the cooking utensil (e.g. pan, pot, etc.). Thus, there is a need to evenly distribute heat from a rotating gas burner head. Moreover, aesthetics of the one or more rotating burners and/or flames exiting the burner ports may be improved over fixed gas burner heads.

Method and apparatus for distributing heat from a burner


A method of quantifying stem nut thread wear in a valve having a valve stem that is positioned with a stem nut. A tool is mounted to, and rotates with, the stem nut, while simultaneously measuring stem displacement. The method of orienting the stem nut threads where one 360° rotation will capture all of the thread backlash in addition to any stem displacement. The measured stem displacement, including stem nut thread backlash, can then be used, with certain stem geometry parameters, to calculate stem nut thread wear percent and quantify remaining stem nut thread material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to acme thread wear, particularly stem nut thread wear for a valve having a threaded valve stem and a threaded stem nut that moves the valve stem responsive to a rotation of the stem nut. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting stem nut thread wear for any valve that has a threaded stem operated by rotation of a stem nut and wherein this apparatus is not an as-manufactured part of the valve to be inspected.
2. General Background of the Invention
A motor operated valve or MOV equipment can employ an externally-threaded rising stem. This rising stem is operated by an internally-threaded rotating stem nut. One of the problems that plagues pipelines, nuclear plants, water treatment plants and other such facilities is the failure of the stem nut while it is in service.
A MOV stem nut is typically made of a softer material (such as a bronze alloy) than the material used to make the stem (usually carbon or stainless steel). Stem nut thread wear is preferential to having wear occur on the valve stem (as the stem nut is typically much easier to replace than the valve stem).
With use, the stem nut threads will wear when opening and closing the valve. The wear can be influenced by several factors. These factors can include the stem nut material, normal operating loads, and maximum loads for example.
Other factors that influences wear are the number and frequency of valve strokes, stem nut manufacture, threaded length, stem-to-stem-nut fit, valve stem condition, lubrication and environmental contamination.
On rising-stem valves, a stem nut transfers rotational motion (torque) of a motor operated gearbox or manual valve to axial stem movement (thrust). Stem nut failure will prevent valve operation and may cause valve position indication to be incorrectly displayed in a control room. If the motor operated valve is electrically or mechanically interlocked, its failure can also interfere with the operation of other plant equipment resulting in a potentially costly or catastrophic failure event.
Unfortunately, most MOV users do not take a proactive approach to maintaining their stem nuts because they are difficult to access and intrusive to remove and inspect. Also, removing a stem nut will cause the valve to be inoperable and out-of-service during the inspection. In most cases, a failure may take many years to occur promoting an "out-of-sight, out-of-mind" approach to maintaining them.
Even if stem nut removal for inspection is being performed, measuring the stem nut thread wear on a removed small-diameter stem nut can be very difficult as space is limited inside the stem nut to get a direct measurement with dial calipers.
Excessive stem nut thread wear represents a potential common cause failure mode that could impact all rising stem valves. The unexpected failure of stem nuts, and resulting consequence, emphasizes the importance of improving conditions, monitoring maintenance practice activities, and identifying, quantifying and minimizing stem nut thread wear. It is important for any maintenance program to also detail proper stem cleaning and lubrication procedures.
The valves to be tested are not always gate valves, but any valve using a threaded stem and nut.

Stem nut thread wear analysis apparatus and method


The present invention relates to a drying apparatus for a pet, which allows a bathed pet to be stably accommodated in an accommodation space part while drying the hair of the pet, thereby quickly and stably drying the hair of the pet. In order to dry the wet hair of a bathed pet, such as a dog or a cat, by evaporating water, the pet is accommodated in an accommodation space part through a door installed in a container portion of a main body; hot air is sucked through a suction pipe which is installed in an upper frame provided in an upper part of the container portion of the main body to generate appropriate heat, and then a vortex of hot air is generated in the accommodation space part through an air intake vortex generation induction pipe communicated with the accommodation space part, thereby quickly and stably drying the hair of the pet accommodated in the accommodation space part with the vortex having appropriate heat; the vortex is discharged to the outside through a discharge pipe; and the water generated in the dried pet is discharged to the outside through a drain hole of a lower supporting frame.

In general, since pet such as a dog or a cat live with people indoors, it is necessary to pay much attention to cleanliness and accordingly, it should be kept cleanliness by often taking a bath to remove the peculiar smells and odors of the pets, and removing germs or mites, dust, and the like included in the hair.
In order to keep cleanliness, the user removes moisture with a towel and then dries by applying hot air by using a device such as a dryer in order to bath and dry the pet including a cat or a dog.
However, as widely known, since the pet often resist while the user wipes the pet with the towel, both the user and the pet is often stressed.
In addition, when the pet shakes the body severely to shake off the moisture on the body in the process in which the user bathes the pet and then dries their hairs, the hairs and water droplets scatter and pollute the surroundings. In addition, since most pet do not stay still and run away or move a lot, there has been a problem that requires a lot of times and efforts to dry the wet hair by using a towel or a dryer.