The present invention is related to pyrazolo pyridine derivatives of Formula (I), pharmaceutical composition thereof and to their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of disorders or conditions related to Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH Oxidase).

NADPH oxidases (NOX) are proteins that transfer electrons across biological membranes. In general, the electron acceptor is oxygen and the product of the electron transfer reaction is superoxide. The biological function of NOX enzymes is therefore the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from oxygen. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are oxygen-derived small molecules, including oxygen radicals (super-oxide anion [.O2−], hydroxyl [HO.], peroxyl [ROO.], alkoxyl [RO.] and hydroperoxyl [HOO.]) and certain non-radicals that are either oxidizing agents and/or are easily converted into radicals. Nitrogen-containing oxidizing agents, such as nitric oxide are also called reactive nitrogen species (RNS). ROS generation is generally a cascade of reactions that starts with the production of superoxide. Superoxide rapidly dismutates to hydrogen peroxide either spontaneously, particularly at low pH or catalyzed by superoxide dismutase. Other elements in the cascade of ROS generation include the reaction of superoxide with nitric oxide to form peroxynitrite, the peroxidase-catalyzed formation of hypochlorous acid from hydrogen peroxide, and the iron-catalyzed Fenton reaction leading to the generation of hydroxyl radical.
ROS avidly interact with a large number of molecules including other small inorganic molecules as well as DNA, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. This initial reaction may generate a second radical, thus multiplying the potential damage. ROS are involved not only in cellular damage and killing of pathogens, but also in a large number of reversible regulatory processes in virtually all cells and tissues. However, despite the importance of ROS in the regulation of fundamental physiological processes, ROS production can also irreversibly destroy or alter the function of the target molecule. Consequently, ROS have been increasingly identified as major contributors to damage in biological organisms, so-called "oxidative stress".
During inflammation, NADPH oxidase is one of the most important sources of ROS production in vascular cells under inflammatory conditions (Thabut et al., 2002, J. Biol. Chem., 277:22814-22821).
In the lung, tissues are constantly exposed to oxidants that are generated either endogenously by metabolic reactions (e.g. by mitochondrial respiration or activation of recruited inflammatory cells) or exogenously in the air (e.g. cigarette smoke or air pollutants). Further, the lungs, constantly exposed to high oxygen tensions as compared to other tissues, have a considerable surface area and blood supply and are particularly susceptible to injury mediated by ROS (Brigham, 1986, Chest, 89(6): 859-863). NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS generation has been described in pulmonary endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. NADPH oxidase activation in response to stimuli has been thought to be involved in the development of respiratory disorders such as pulmonary hypertension and enhancement of pulmonary vasoconstriction (Djordjevic et al., 2005, Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., 25, 519-525; Liua et al., 2004, Am. J. Physiol. Lung, Cell. Mol. Physiol., 287: L111-118). Further, pulmonary fibrosis has been characterized by lung inflammation and excessive generation of ROS.
Osteoclasts, which are macrophage-like cells that play a crucial role in bone turn-over (e.g. bone resorption), generate ROS through NADPH oxidase-dependent mechanisms (Yang et al., 2002, J. Cell. Chem. 84, 645-654).
Diabetes is known to increase oxidative stress (e.g. increased generation of ROS by auto-oxidation of glucose) both in humans and animals and increased oxidative stress has been said to play an important role in the development of diabetic complications. It has been shown that increased peroxide localization and endothelial cell dysfunction in the central retina of diabetic rats coincides with the areas of NADPH oxidase activity in the retinal endothelial cells (Ellis et al., 2000, Free Rad. Biol. Med., 28:91-101). Further, it has been suggested that controlling oxidative stress (ROS) in mitochondria and/or inflammation may be a beneficial approach for the treatment of diabetes (Pillarisetti et al., 2004, Expert Opin. Ther. Targets, 8(5):401-408).
ROS are also strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, cell proliferation, hypertension and reperfusion injury cardiovascular diseases in general (Cai et al., 2003, Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 24:471-478). Not only is superoxide production, for example in the arterial wall, increased by all risk factors for atherosclerosis, but ROS also induce many "proatherogenic" in vitro cellular responses. An important consequence of the formation of ROS in vascular cells is the consumption of nitric oxide (NO). NO inhibits the development of is vascular diseases, and loss of NO is important in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The increase in NADPH oxidase activity in vascular wall after balloon injury has been reported (Shi et al., 2001, Throm. Vasc. Biol., 2001, 21, 739-745).
It is believed that oxidative stress or free radical damage is also a major causative factor in neurodegenerative diseases. Such damages may include mitochondrial abnormalities, neuronal demyelination, apoptosis, neuronal death and reduced cognitive performance, potentially leading to the development of progressive neurodegenerative disorders (Nunomura et al., 2001, J. Neuropathol. Exp. Neurol., 60: 759-767; Girouard, 2006, J. Appl. Physiol. 100:328-335).
Further, the generation of ROS by sperm has been demonstrated in a large number of species and has been suggested to be attributed to an NADPH oxidase within spermatozoa (Vernet et al., Biol. Reprod., 2001, 65:1102-1113). Excessive ROS generation has been suggested to be implicated in sperm pathology, including male infertility and also in some penile disorders and prostate cancer.
NADPH oxidases are multi-subunit enzymes made up of a membrane-bound cytochrome b558 domain and three cytosolic protein subunits, p47phox, p67phox and a small GTPase, Rac. Seven isoforms of NOX enzymes have been identified including NOX1, NOX2, NOX3, NOX4, NOX5, DUOX1 and DUOX2 (Leto et al., 2006, Antioxid Redox Signal, 8(9-10):1549-61; Cheng et al., 2001, Gene, 16; 269(1-2): 131-40).
Thus, ROS derived from NADPH contribute to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases or disorders, respiratory disorder or disease, disease or disorder affecting the metabolism, bone disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory diseases, reproduction disorder or disease, pain, cancer and disease or disorders of the gastrointestinal system. Therefore, it would be highly desirable to develop new active agents focusing on the ROS signalling cascade, especially on NADPH oxidases (NOX).

Pyrazolo pyridine derivatives as NADPH oxidase inhibitors


An exhaust heat exchanger with catalyst to be used in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine is provided. A catalyst chamber is disposed within a water chamber which a cooling water flows through. An exhaust gas having passed through the catalyst chamber in contact with a catalyst makes an indirect heat exchange with the cooling water before it is discharged outside. The water chamber is formed surrounded by an inner trunk and an outer trunk, and the catalyst chamber is formed by a cylindrical body disposed coaxially with the inner and outer trunks and housing the catalyst. A spiral passage for the exhaust gas is formed between the inner trunk and the cylindrical body. A plurality of heat transmitting pipes are arranged within the water chamber surrounding the inner trunk circumferentially at regular intervals. The exhaust gas having passed through the catalyst flows within the spiral passage and the heat transmitting pipes in turn to make a heat exchange with the cooling water. The cylindrical body is surrounded by a heat shielding cylindrical body with a thin adiabatic gas layer lying between.

The present invention relates to an exhaust heat exchanger with catalyst in which an exhaust gas purification apparatus (a catalytic converter) utilizing a catalyst for using in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine is combined with a heat exchanger for recovering heat of the exhaust gas to make the exhaust system compact and improve silencer effect and heat exchanger performance.
Heretofore, the exhaust system in this kind of internal combustion engine has been constituted as shown in FIG. 4.
Namely, in FIG. 4, an exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine 01 firstly enters an exhaust gas purification apparatus (a catalytic converter) 02 where injurious components in the exhaust gas are purified, and then the exhaust gas is discharged from the converter.
Then, the purified and somewhat warmed exhaust gas enters a heat exchanger 03 where the exhaust gas makes a heat exchange with a cooling water of the internal combustion engine and gives its heat to the cooling water, and the exhaust gas itself which has been cooled is discharged is discharged from the heat exchanger.
The cooling water entering the heat exchanger 03 has been sufficiently cooled by making a heat exchange with a cold water such as city water in a heat exchanger 04 for recovering exhaust heat which the cooling water passes through after it comes out of the internal combustion engine 01. Therefore, the purified and somewhat warmed exhaust gas can be cooled effectively. Though the cooling water is somewhat warmed by the heat exchange, it is returned to the engine 01 and cools various parts of the engine 01 without difficulty.
The city water warmed by the heat exchange with the cooling water in the heat exchanger 04 is directed to a hot-water supply facility, an air conditioning facility, or the like, of a place of business or a home to be used as hot-water directly or as heat source of hot-water.
As mentioned above, in the exhaust system of the conventional internal combustion engine 01, the exhaust gas purification apparatus 02 is disposed on an upper stream side of an exhaust gas passage and formed separately from the heat exchanger 03. Therefore, a space is required for constituting the exhaust system, moreover, construction of the system is complicated.
The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems of the exhaust system in the conventional internal combustion engine 01, and provide an exhaust heat exchanger with catalyst in which the exhaust system is made compact, the construction is simplified, the manufacturing cost is reduced and silencer effect and heat exchange performance can be improved.
The present invention provides an exhaust heat exchanger with catalyst, comprising a water chamber which a cooling water flows through and a catalyst chamber housing a catalyst which an exhaust gas flows through in contact with the catalyst, thereby the exhaust gas coming out of the catalyst chamber makes an indirect heat exchange with the cooling water before the exhaust gas is discharged outside.
In this invention, the catalyst chamber corresponding to an exhaust gas purification apparatus (a catalytic converter) used in a exhaust system of an internal combustion engine is provided within the water chamber and the exhaust gas having passed through the catalyst chamber makes an indirect heat exchange with the cooling water in the water chamber, thus the exhaust purification apparatus is integrally combined with a heat exchanger for recovering heat of the exhaust gas.
As the result, the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine can be made compact and simplified in construction and the manufacturing cost thereof can be reduced.
Since the catalyst chamber is surrounded by the water chamber, heat possessed by the exhaust gas and reaction heat between the exhaust gas and the catalyst are absorbed by the cooling water in the water chamber sufficiently to improve heat exchange performance.
Though the exhaust system is made compact by combining a exhaust purification apparatus and a heat exchanger for recovering heat of exhaust gas integrally as a unit, capacity of the whole unit is larger than that of the conventional individual exhaust gas purification apparatus or heat exchanger for recovering heat of exhaust gas. Therefore, noise generated by the exhaust gas is damped when the exhaust gas flows through a chamber of large capacity. The damping of the noise is further enhanced by the water chamber surrounding the chamber of large capacity so as to confine it. Thus, an improved silencer effect can be obtained.
The water chamber may be formed between an inner trunk and an outer trunk, the catalyst chamber may be formed by a cylindrical body disposed coaxially with the inner and outer trunks, the catalyst may be disposed within the cylindrical body, a spiral passage for the exhaust gas may be formed between the inner trunk and the cylindrical body, and a plurality of heat transmission pipes may be arranged surrounding the inner trunk circumferentially at regular intervals, thereby the exhaust gas flows within the catalyst, flows into the spiral passage, then flows within the heat transmission pipes to make a heat exchange with the cooling water.
As the result, the exhaust heat exchanger with catalyst presents a whole appearance of a columnar shape, because the outer trunk, the heat transmission pipes, the inner trunk, the spiral passage, the cylindrical body (catalyst chamber) and the catalyst are disposed concentrically. Therefore, the heat exchanger can be made further compact, the construction can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Since the exhaust gas flows passing through the catalyst, the spiral passage and the heat transmission pipes in the water chamber in turn, a sufficient heat exchanging area is ensured by the inner trunk and the heat transmission pipes, and the exhaust gas makes a sufficient heat exchange with the cooling water to improve heat exchange performance.
The cylindrical body may be surrounded by a heat shielding cylindrical body with a thin adiabatic gas layer lying between.
Since the adiabatic gas layer lies between the spiral passage and the catalyst, and a hot exhaust gas having just passed through the catalyst enters the adiabatic gas layer from a bottom of the layer, temperature of the exhaust gas in the spiral passage is hardly transmitted to the catalyst, and even if the exhaust gas in the spiral passage is cooled by the cooling water in the water chamber, lowering of temperature of the catalyst can be prevented, so that purification of injurious components in the exhaust gas is promoted to improve exhaust gas purification performance.
Because the hot exhaust gas enters the adiabatic gas layer on outside of the catalyst, a time required for activating the catalyst after the engine is started is shortened to promote purification of injurious components in the exhaust gas, and the exhaust purification performance is improved also in this aspect.


An over-voltage protection circuit for executing an over-voltage protection for a LED module of an electronic device. The over-voltage protection circuit includes a control unit and an over-voltage detection module, a trigger module and an adjustment module. The LED module includes a positive input port. The over-voltage detection module detects a voltage of the positive input port of the LED module and produce a detection voltage proportional to the voltage of the positive input port. The control unit controls the LED module to work or do not work according to the detection voltage. The trigger module produces corresponding trigger signals according to a 2D signal or a 3D signal output by a 2D/3D signal port. The adjustment module adjusts the proportion between the detection voltage and the voltage of the positive input port according to the trigger signal.

Nowadays, more and more electronic devices use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as backlight. Usually, these electronic devices, such as televisions and displays, can be worked at a two-dimensional (2D) mode or a three-dimensional (3D) mode. When the electronic device is worked at the 2D mode or the 3D mode, an over-voltage protection voltage triggering the over-voltage protection is the same. However, when the electronic device is worked normally, a work voltage of the LEDs of the 2D mode is lower than that of the 3D mode. Because the over-voltage protection voltage of the 2D mode is the same as that of the 3D mode, when the work voltage of the LEDs reaches or exceeds the over-voltage protection voltage, the over-voltage protection voltage is largely greater than the normal work voltage of the LEDs of the 2D mode. Then, when the electronic device is worked at the 2D mode, the time to trigger the over-voltage protection is very long, which is easy to cause components of the electronic device to be damaged.

Over-voltage protection circuit and electronic device

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


Undesired hydrophilic materials are readily removed from long chain hydrophobic alcohols, from long chain hydrophobic alcohol/glycoside surfactant mixtures and from solutions of glycoside surfactants in water immiscible solvents resulting from dissolving the glycoside surfactants in said solvents or mixing aqueous mixtures of glycoside surfactants with said solvents, by contacting the hydrophilic material containing hydrophobic composition with water in an amount, and for a time period sufficient, to extract at least a portion of the hydrophilic material from the hydrophobic composition and to form a separate aqueous phase and by separating the resulting aqueous phase from the hydrophobic composition. The process is particularly useful when employed in the context of a glycoside surfactant manufacturing process to remove polysaccharide by-products from a crude unreacted hydrophobic alcohol/glycoside surfactant reaction product mixture at a stage prior to the separation of the hydrophobic alcohol from the glycoside surfactant.

1. Field of the Invention:
This invention pertains generally to a process for removing undesired polysaccharide and other hydrophilic constituents from hydrophobic compositions containing same and, in particular to the removal of polysaccharide constituents and other materials from glycoside surfactant/hydrophobic alcohol or other hydrophobic solvent compositions or from polysaccharide-containing mixed hydrophobic alcohol/glycoside surfactant compositions. In one embodiment, the invention involves a glycoside surfactant manufacturing process wherein the indicated polysaccharide removal technique is applied to a crude polysaccharide-containing hydrophobic alcohol/glycoside surfactant reaction product mixture prior to the evaporative separation of the hydrophobic alcohol from the desired glycoside surfactant product.
In accordance with the process there is provided certain novel glycoside surfactant compositions which have an average of at least 9 carbon atoms in the hydrophobic aglycone substituent thereof and an average degree of polymerization (D.P.) of at least 1.2 and which are essentially free of (i.e., contain, on a total glycoside surfactant weight basis, less than 0.5 weight percent of) undesired polysaccharide constituents and which contain, on a total glycoside surfactant weight basis, less than 5 (preferably less than 1) weight percent of polyglycoside species or constituents having a degree of polymerization of 10 or above. The process is useful for purifying alkyl polyglycoside products to produce a refined material for special uses. 2. Statement of Related Art:
Long chain alkyl monoglycosides and long chain alkyl polyglycosides and mixtures thereof (hereinafter generically referred to as "glycoside surfactants") are known materials, are known to be surface active in character and are known to be useful in a wide variety of household and industrial applications. Moreover, it is also known that glycoside surfactants can be prepared by reacting a long chain alcohol with a saccharide reactant (e.g., a monosaccharide or a material hydrolyzable to a monosaccharide) at an elevated temperature in the presence of an acid catalyst.
Processes for preparing alkyl glycoside compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,219,656 to Boettner (issued Nov. 23, 1965); U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,828 to Mansfield et al. (issued Dec. 15, 1970); U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,865 to Lew (issued Aug. 10, 1971); U.S. Pat. No. 3,707,535 to Lew (issued Dec. 26, 1972); U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,269 to Lew (issued Nov. 13, 1973); U.S. Pat. No. 3,839,318 to Mansfield (issued Oct. 1, 1974); U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,669 to Klahr (issued Sept. 14, 1982); U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,203 to Mao et al. (issued Jul. 12, 1983); U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,170 to Hellyer (issued Sept. 18, 1984); U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,306 to Langdon (issued Apr. 9, 1985); U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,770 to Forand et al. (issued Jul. 1, 1986); U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,453 to Lorenz et al. (issued Nov. 3, 1987): U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,447 to Letton (issued Dec. 15, 1987); published European Application No. 83302002.7 (EPO Publication No. 0092355; Vander Burgh et al; published Oct. 26, 1983); published European Application No. 83200771.0 (EPO Publication No.0096917; Farris; published Dec. 28, 1983); and published European Application No. 84303874.6 (EPO Publication 0132043; published Jan. 23, 1985).
During the course of the aforementioned acid-catalyzed saccharide reactant/long chain alcohol reaction process, there is usually employed a substantial stoichiometric excess of the long chain alcohol reactant. The resulting reaction product mixture as initially made (i.e., without any intervening separation, fractionation or purification operations) typically contains a substantial quantity of residual unreacted long chain alcohol, the monoglycoside of the long chain alcohol as the predominant glycoside molecular species on a mole percentage basis, the various higher degree of polymerization long chain alcohol polyglycoside species in progressively decreasing mole percentage amounts or proportions, substantial but variable amounts of polysaccharide by-products which do not have long chain alcohol molecules chemically attached (or covalently bonded) thereto and miscellaneous materials such as catalysts, processing aids and the like.
In accordance with the various prior art references, it has been conventional practice to remove the residual unreacted long chain alcohol from the indicated reaction mixture via various techniques such as vacuum distillation, organic solvent (e.g., acetone) extraction or fractionation, and thin (or wiped) film evaporation.
If the long chain (fatty) alcohol is removed from the reaction mixture by one of the distillation or evaporation methods, the polysaccharide by products and any other materials with low volatility remain in the alkyl glycoside product.
The presence of the aforementioned polysaccharide byproducts and other impurities in the long chain (or "fatty") alcohol-containing reaction mixture can result in the development of unacceptable properties (e.g. high viscosities) and/or in the development of dark-colored insoluble particulate matter and/or in fouling of heat transfer surfaces during evaporative removal of the unreacted fatty alcohol from the reaction mixture using wiped or thin film evaporation equipment.
In addition, certain applications require an alkyl glycoside surfactant product with a low content of non-alkyl glycoside materials. The method of the present invention can be used to reduce the concentration of certain non-alkyl glycoside hydrophilic or water miscible components in an alkyl glycoside surfactant product.

Removal of water miscible materials from glycoside mixtures


A wheel lift assembly lockout mechanism for an agricultural mower having a lift cylinder for moving the mower frame between raised and lowered positions. The lockout mechanism is positioned adjacent to a rod end of a lift cylinder and is pivotable between generally opposing lockout and free positions. First and second stops interact with the lift cylinder depending upon the position of the lockout mechanism to provide at least two stop positions allowing minimum mower heights in each stop position to be established. The lockout mechanism further includes a bias apparatus and a lockout limiter to enable a specific lockout height to be imposed with minimal impact other operational aspects of the wheel lift assembly.

The present invention relates generally to agricultural harvesting machines, and more particularly to a mechanism for conveniently vertically positioning an agricultural mower to an intermediate operating height.
Agricultural center-pivot mowers employ a ground-supported frame to which a floating mower header is connected. The mower header is permitted limited vertical movement in relation to the frame to allow the header to follow ground contours and sever a standing crop at a generally uniform height above the ground as the mower is towed through the crop. Mower frames also include height adjustment provisions to allow the mower header to be raised significantly, such as for transport over the road and returned to an operating height at which the header flotation provisions will function.
Emerging perennial grass biomass markets, such as switch grass and miscanthus, demand taller stubble for plant regrowth, nutrient density, and harvest equipment tire wear. Conventional center pivot disc mowers cannot provide adequate head flotation using the standard lift cylinder configuration while operating in biomass crops with extra tall skid shoes installed on the cutting header.
It would be advantageous to provide an improved height adjustment mechanism for a center pivot mower that would enable a user-selectable intermediate operating position between the normal operating height and the transport height for mower operations requiring elevated cut height. Further advantages would be realized by a height adjustment mechanism that is easily incorporated into the existing height adjustment of a center pivot mower.

Intermediate lift cylinder lock for extra tall stubble biomass operation


An example of a composition includes a host metal present in an amount ranging from about 95.00 weight percent to about 99.99 weight percent, based on a total weight of the composition. A flow additive is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01 weight percent to about 5.00 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition. The flow additive consists of a metal containing compound that is reducible to an elemental metal in a reducing environment at a reducing temperature less than or equal to a sintering temperature of the host metal. The elemental metal is capable of being incorporated into a bulk metal phase of the host metal in a final metal object. The composition is spreadable, having a Hausner Ratio less than 1.25.

In addition to home and office usage, inkjet technology has been expanded to high-speed, commercial and industrial printing. Inkjet printing is a non-impact printing method that utilizes electronic signals to control and direct droplets or a stream of ink to be deposited on media. Some commercial and industrial inkjet printers utilize fixed printheads and a moving substrate web in order to achieve high speed printing. Current inkjet printing technology involves forcing the ink drops through small nozzles by thermal ejection, piezoelectric pressure or oscillation onto the surface of the media. This technology has become a popular way of recording images on various media surfaces (e.g., paper), for a number of reasons, including, low printer noise, capability of high-speed recording and multi-color recording.
Inkjet printing has also been used to print liquid functional agents in some three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques. 3D printing may be an additive printing process used to make three-dimensional solid parts from a digital model. 3D printing is often used in rapid product prototyping, mold generation, mold master generation, and short run manufacturing. Some 3D printing techniques are considered additive processes because they involve the application of successive layers of material. This is unlike traditional machining processes, which often rely upon the removal of material to create the final part. Some 3D printing methods use chemical binders or adhesives to bind build materials together. Other 3D printing methods involve at least partial curing, thermal merging/fusing, melting, sintering, etc. of the build material to build the material together. For some materials, at least partial melting may be accomplished using heat-assisted extrusion, and for some other materials (e.g., polymerizable materials), curing or fusing may be accomplished using, for example, ultra-violet light or infrared light.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A buffer protection structure is provided in a mobile communication device which includes a housing and a flat light-emitting element having plural light tubes. The buffer protection structure is an elastic material and is provided between each inner wall of the housing and outer peripheries of the flat light-emitting element. Outer peripheries of the buffer protection structure are abutted respectively at each inner wall of the housing and inner peripheries of the buffer protection structure are abutted elastically by the outer peripheries of the flat light-emitting element to buffer an external force or impact, such that the light tubes can be prevented from being ruptured.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication device, and more particularly to a buffer protection structure which is used to limit displacement of and protect a light tube used as a flat light-emitting element of a display panel in a mobile communication device.
2. Related Art
Throughout the rapid progression and evolution of display technology, conventional CRT (cathode ray tube) displays have been replaced gradually by liquid crystal display because of volume and energy consumption. With advantages of high display quality, low energy consumption and zero radiation, etc., the liquid crystal display can be applied broadly in 3C (Computing, Communication and Consumer) products, such as a mobile phone (or cellular phone), a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, a digital camcorder, a digital camera, a computer screen and a liquid crystal TV.
The liquid crystal display uses primarily a liquid crystal panel to display. As the liquid crystal panel is a non-spontaneous light-emitting display panel, a backlight module or a flat light-emitting element has to be used to supply a light source which provides sufficient brightness and is uniform distribution, such that the liquid crystal panel can display an image normally. The backlight module, for example, is ordinarily assembled by a cold cathode fluorescent light tube, a light guide plate and a reflector, wherein the backlight module can be divided into a direct-type backlight module (or flat-type backlight module) with a light source being generated from a direct lower side of the display panel or an edge-type backlight module with a light source being generated from a location close to a side of the display panel, according to the location of light source.
Referring to FIG. 1, it shows a drawing of a conventional protection structure for a light tube which serves as a light source of a display panel, wherein a cellular phone M includes a housing M1, a flat light-emitting element M2 and a protection structure M3. The flat light-emitting element M2 may be a backlight module having a cold cathode light tube as a light source or a flat cold cathode light tube, and is provided in the housing M1. The protection structure M3 is a rigid rectangular frame which encloses the flat light-emitting element M2 and is abutted at inner walls of the housing M1 to limit displacement of and protect the flat light-emitting element M2.
However, in such a simple rectangular protection structure, a side surface of a flat light-emitting element in a cellular phone, such as a flat light tube, touches rigidly with the protection structure; whereas, for a flat light-emitting element such as a backlight module, all the backlight modules are made of a fragile plastic material, and as the light tube which is provided in the backlight module is smaller in size, it is relatively fragile; yet the side surface of the light tube still touches rigidly with the protection structure in an indirect way. Nevertheless, a most fragile part in glass of the light tube is the side surface; therefore, the pure rigid protection structure is disadvantageous to absorb lateral impact. Moreover, four corners of the light tube where stress is concentrated most easily collide more easily with the protection structure to rupture the light tube.

Buffer protection structure and mobile communication device having the same structure


A local area network routing switch for routing data transmissions between buses includes a set of input buffers, each for receiving and storing successive data transmissions arriving via a corresponding one of the bus. The switch also includes a set of output buffers for forwarding data transmissions outward via a corresponding bus, and a routing system for selectively routing data transmissions from the input buffers to the output buffers in response to routing requests from the input buffers. The routing system sends STATUS data to each input buffer indicating which output buffers are busy receiving data transmissions and which output buffers are idle. An input buffer makes a routing request only when it stores a data transmission to be forwarded to an idle output port. If its longest-stored data transmission is destined for a busy output port, it may send a routing request for a more recently stored data transmission if that data transmission is to be forwarded to an idle output buffer. Thus a busy output buffer will not block data transmission by an input buffer even though its longest-stored data transmission is to be routed to that output buffer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a switch for routing data between buses, and in particular to a switch having a non-blocking arbitration system.
2. Description of Related Art
Networks route data transmissions between network stations. In some network system buses typically connect network stations to a central hub or switch. A network hub is simply a repeater receiving a data transmission (e.g. an Ethernet data packet or an ATM cell) arriving on any one input bus and rebroadcasting outward on all output buses. A header in the data packet or cell indicates the packet or cell destination. Each network station looks at the header to determine if it should accept or ignore the data transmission. One disadvantage to a hub repeater is that each bus carrying data transmissions to a network station not only must convey transmissions directed to that station but must carry packets directed to all other stations as well. That can put a heavy load on all hub output buses at times of high traffic and can reduce network throughput.
A network switch, on the other hand, routes an incoming data transmission outward only on the bus leading to its destination, thereby reducing the traffic load on network buses. A network switch typically includes input buffers for receiving and storing incoming transmissions from the network stations, output buffers for storing and then transmitting outgoing transmissions to the network stations and an intelligent routing system for selectively providing a data routing path for each incoming data transmission from an input buffer to the appropriate output buffer. Each input buffer typically stores each incoming transmission, determines the destination output buffer from the routing data included in the packet or cell header, and then requests the routing system to provide a data path between the input buffer and the destination output buffer. When the routing system establishes the data path, the input buffer sends the transmission to the output buffer via the data path.
Since input buffers may have competing routing requests, the routing system must include an arbitration system for determining which requests are granted. Such an arbitration system for an Ethernet network switch is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,664 entitled "Network Switch With Arbitration System", issued Nov. 18, 1997 to Chou et al, (incorporated herein by reference). When Chou's arbitration system grants a request it signals the input buffer that made the request that it may begin forwarding a data packet to the output buffer via the switching mechanism. When the arbitration system thereafter learns that the data packet has been sent to the output buffer and that the output buffer is ready to receive another data packet, the arbitration system allows all input buffers to once again compete for a data routing path to the output buffer.
In Chou's network switch, an input buffer stores all incoming data packets but requests a data routing path only to the output buffer that is to receive its longest-stored data packet. If that output buffer is busy, the requesting input buffer is not only blocked from forwarding its longest-stored data packet to the busy output buffer, it is also blocked from forwarding any later stored data packet to other output buffers, even when they are idle.
What is needed is a network switch having an improved arbitration system wherein an input buffer storing a data transmission destined for a busy output buffer is not blocked from sending a subsequently stored data transmission to an idle output buffer.

Network routing switch with non-blocking arbitration system


The disclosed embodiments provide a component for a portable electronic device. The component includes a structural frame within the portable electronic device and an amorphous diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating deposited on the surfaces and the edges of the structural frame, wherein the amorphous DLC coating increases a thermal conductivity of the structural frame.

1. Field
The present embodiments relate to techniques for facilitating heat transfer in portable electronic devices. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to the depositing of an amorphous diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on a structural frame of a portable electronic device to increase the thermal conductivity of the structural frame.
2. Related Art
A modern portable electronic device typically contains a set of tightly packed components. For example, a mobile phone may include a microphone, display, speakers, camera, buttons, battery, processor, memory, internal storage, and/or ports in a package that is less than 0.5 inches thick, 4-5 inches long, and 2-3 inches wide. Moreover, most components in the portable electronic device generate heat, which must be dissipated to enable safe use of the portable electronic device and improve long-term reliability. For example, heat generated by components in a mobile phone may be spread across the enclosure of the mobile phone to prevent damage to the components and increase user comfort and safety while operating the mobile phone.
However, heat-dissipation mechanisms for portable electronic devices generally involve the use of additional parts and/or materials. For example, heat sinks, cooling fans, heat pipes, thermal spreaders, and/or vents may be used to dissipate heat from components in a laptop computer. Such heat-dissipating parts and/or materials may take up space within the portable electronic devices and may add to the cost of the portable electronic devices.
Hence, space-efficient designs for portable electronic devices may be facilitated by mechanisms that reduce the dependence of the portable electronic devices on conventional heat-dissipating parts and/or materials.

Amorphous diamond-like carbon coatings for increasing the thermal conductivity of structural frames in portable electronic devices


The present invention relates to systems, entities, and methods for certificates and certifications of documents, such as passports, licenses, degree certificates, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to re-certifying a document in the sense of verifying and/or renewing an already existing certificate/certification.

The publication U.S. Pat. No. 7,314,162 discloses a method and system for reporting identity document usage by storing in a database and reporting to an identity document owner instances in which that person's driver's license, passport or other government-issued identification documents are presented as a form of ID, thereby facilitating early notification of identity theft.
Further, the publication U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,488 discloses a method of assessing the risk of fraud before issuing a driver's license to an applicant on the basis of the relative incidence of fraud historically associated with the particular combination of collateral identification documents (e.g. birth certificate, passport, student ID card, etc.) presented by the applicant in their application for the driver's license.
It is desirable to re-certify, correct and/or update official (i.e. government-issued) cards or other certificates (e.g. birth certificate), educational degrees and diplomas, and other certificates, etc., especially those that do not have an inherent expiry or renewal date. It may be further desirable to print a certification mark on a commercial document for authentication purposes.
It is further desirable to mark items such as pieces (works) of art and other items of value ("value items") with a certification mark without devaluing the value item (e.g. without altering the visual appearance of a work of art). It is further desirable to employ existing infrastructure to most efficient extent in that specific reader-printer(s) are commercially available for use to print on documents such as passports.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method addressing these needs and solving the drawbacks from the prior arts.


A method, system, and apparatus for cooling one or more devices through use of a cooling plate. An example system includes multiple heat generating devices coupled to a cooling plate, each through an individual thermal interface unit. The thermal interface unit includes a compressible solid pad with at least one surface having a plurality of projections carrying a flowable material. The thermal interface units are pressed between the heat generating devices and the cooling plate so that the flowable material is completely enclosed.

The present invention relates to thermal interface materials for cooling systems used on multiple integrated chip devices assembled on a common printed circuit board, and methods for forming the same.
Electronic packaging designs continue to trend toward increased density. A by-product of this trend is the application of multiple integrated chip devices assembled to a common printed circuit board. Due to the increasing package density, more and more devices require active thermal cooling. Multiple devices with different mechanical sensitivities, heights, and thermal power dissipation characteristics mounted on the same printed circuit board may need cooling simultaneously.
If a single cooling device, such as a cooling plate, is used to cool multiple devices, thick gaps of variable size may exist between the devices and the cooling plate. Thermal interface materials may be used to couple the devices with the cooling plate. During assembly, thermal interface materials thick enough to fill the gaps, such as thermal gap pads, may exert mechanical stress on the devices capable of creating short-term and/or long-term damage. Less rigid thermal interface materials, such as thermal gels, may dissociate from the device during expansion and contraction associated with the device's thermal and/or power-on/off cycles.

Customized thermal interface to optimize mechanical loading and thermal conductivity characteristics

International Business Machines Corporation


A flap valve apparatus and an improved flap valve element which uses integrally bonded layers comprising a first soft flexible layer of an elastomer and a second layer of a rigid plastics material. The method of forming the flap valve element by a two component extrusion process is also disclosed.

The subject invention is directed toward the valve art and, more particularly, to a flap-type valve element and method of forming same. The invention is especially suited for forming valve flaps for pressure relief valves of the type used to relieve air pressure in vehicle passenger compartments.
Flap-type valves are commonly used as pressure relief valves in motor vehicle passenger compartments to maintain the compartments at ambient air pressure and to relieve air pressure build-up which results during operation of intake vent fans, door closing, and the like. To assure proper flexing and adequate sealing, the flap valve elements have generally been formed from soft elastomeric or rubbery material such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, or the like. Often, such flap elements exhibit a tendency to warp on initial use and to further warp or deform after long term normal use.


A device and a method for performing bitwise manipulation is provided. Multiple bitwise logic circuits are coupled to an instruction decoder, a register array and a rotator. Each bitwise logic circuit includes input multiplexers connected to an output multiplexer. The instruction decoder receives a bit manipulation instruction and sends to each corresponding input multiplexer a control signal based on a type of the instruction. Each input multiplexer of each bitwise logic circuit receives a control signal, a constant signal that has a value that is indifferent to the value of the mask, and a mask affected signal that has a value that is responsive to a value of an associated mask bit. Each input multiplexer selects between the constant signal and the mask affected signal based on the control signal, and outputs a selected signal. Each output multiplexer receives selected signals from each of the corresponding input multiplexers, and elects between the selected signal based on a value of an associated manipulated register bit and based on a value an associated control register bit.

Communications protocols are changing rapidly. Modern communication devices are required to easily adjust to these changes. The adjustment may involve providing programmable control codes that may be tailored per communication protocol. Embedded RISC processors that are included within such communication devices may be programmed to execute these control codes.
A control code may include multiple conditional instruction groups. A typical conditional instruction group may alter a value of one or more bits based on a value of one or more control bits. For example, a "last" indication bit of a buffer descriptor can be set if a control bit of a status register indicates that an end of a frame was detected. A typical conditional instruction group may include two or three instructions. For example, a first instruction may check a value of a control bit and a second instruction (that may be referred to as a conditional branch instruction) may branch based on the value of the control bit.
Control codes usually include a large number of conditional instruction groups. The execution of these conditional instruction groups may reduce the throughput of a communication device that includes an embedded RISC processor.

Device and method for performing conditional bitwise set/clear/toggle manipulations in a general purpose register


Current consumption in a start signal outputting circuit, and that in a clock signal conductor thereto, or the EMI is to be suppressed. An output from the last stage flipflop of a shift register, having multiple stages of flipflops, is supplied to a start signal outputting circuit. An output of the start signal outputting circuit is delivered as a start signal, while being delivered to a start signal output detection circuit. A detection signal from a start signal output detection circuit and an output of a non-last stage flipflop of the shift register are supplied to a clock stop circuit. Clock signals cease to be supplied by the clock stop circuit during a time period as from inputting of the detection signal until inputting of the output of the non-last stage flip-flop.

A liquid crystal display device, as a dot matrix display device, is used in a variety of devices, such as personal computers, because of its meritorious features, such as thin thickness, small light and low power consumption, In particular, the active matrix color liquid crystal display device now forms the mainstream in that it lends itself to control of the picture quality to extremely high definition.
A liquid crystal display module of a liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel (LCD panel), a control circuit, referred to below as a controller, and made up by a semiconductor integrated circuit device, referred to below as an IC, a scanning side driving circuit, formed by the IC, and a data side driving circuit, referred to below as a data driver. A plural number of data drivers are used. For example, in a case where the resolution of a liquid crystal panel is XGA (1024×768 pixels, each pixel being composed of three dots of R (red), G (green) and B (blue)), there being 262144 display colors, each of R, G and B being of 64 gradations, eight data drivers are used, when it is assumed that each data driver takes charge of 128 pixels.
Each data driver includes a shift register and a data register for converting serial data into parallel data and for capturing the so converted data. The shift register is responsive to a start signal to output, at a data register, a control signal for capturing 128 pixels, sequentially shifted in synchronism with clock signals. The start signal is entered from the controller to the first stage data driver and sequentially transmitted to second and following data drivers, interconnected in cascade, such that the eight data drivers operate as a sole shift register. In the case of a parallel transmission system, capturing display data with a bit width corresponding to two pixels, two pixels of display data are captured with one control signal. Thus, the shift register of each data driver has to output 64 control signals, and hence 64 stages of flip-flops are connected to one another in cascade. In this case, the start signal for the next stage of the cascade-connected next-stage data driver is not output from the 64th stage flipflop but an output of e.g. the 62nd flipflop is delivered via a start signal output circuit. On the other hand, clock signals are entered to the shift register via a clock signal input/output circuit having a clock stop circuit (for example, see JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-A-9-281924).

Semiconductor integrated circuit device and shift register for device driver


A method for lossy data compression, the method including receiving raw data at a storage device, receiving a request to compress flag, accessing an onboard data compression algorithm library containing various data compression algorithms respectively corresponding to lossy data compression schemes, selecting one of the data compression algorithms based on a number of parameters, running the selected data compression algorithm either online such that the raw data is compressed by the storage device when it is received, and is then stored on the storage device as compressed data, or offline such that the raw data is stored at the storage device, is later compressed by the storage device according to the selected data compression algorithm, and is resaved at the storage device as compressed data.

Data compression is a well-known and useful technique to increase the effective use of data storage capacity, such as a hard storage device. However, some data compression schemes or algorithms work better with certain types of data than others. Data compression can either be termed as "lossless" data compression, where the exact original data can be obtained from the compressed version, or as "lossy" data compression, where the exact input data cannot be restored from the compressed version.
Generally data compression occurs at the host, which then sends the compressed data as a compressed data file to the drive (e.g., a hard storage device (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD)). On-drive data compression, however, is where the drive receives a raw, uncompressed data file from the host, compresses the data, and then stores the compressed data file thereon.
Previous methods of on-drive data compression compress the data "dumbly," or perform unintelligent/oversimplified data compression, where every raw data file that is received by the drive is compressed using an identical data compression method or algorithm. Thereafter, the drive stores the compressed data as a compressed data file thereon. That is, unintelligent on-drive data compression indicates that the drive takes every piece of data received from the host, and compresses every piece of data with a same data compression algorithm, and then stores the compressed data file on the drive.
When using unintelligent data compression, the drive ignores distinguishing characteristics of the data, such as characteristics that may indicate whether the data was already compressed by the host, whether the data was previously encrypted, whether a user of the drive wants the data to be compressed, and to what degree, or according to what parameters, and a variety of other factors. Further, when using unintelligent data compression, the drive ignores the fact that certain types of data are more amenable to be compressed according to one or more particular data compression schemes than other types of data.
Previously implemented versions of "dumb" or unintelligent data compression (e.g., general data compression) have operated on the assumption that a user seeking to save data on the drive does not want a lossy data compression scheme that results in the loss of important data. The previously implemented versions of unintelligent data compression, therefore, have always involved lossless data compression, as opposed to lossy data compression. That is, because lossy data compression may be harmful to particular types of data (e.g., databases, work data files, etc.), and may potentially result in corrupted data, only lossless data compression schemes were previously implemented in order to maintain the integrity of the data.
Furthermore, previously implemented lossy data compression schemes were always performed by the host, and the data was not compressed by the drive. Instead, the drive would simply receive and store the compressed data file that is sent from the host. The host would typically correspond to the central processing unit (CPU)/computer processor of the user seeking to compress and store the data. Unfortunately, the computing operations associated with such lossy data compression generally take a large number of CPU cycles, and also use a corresponding large amount of energy.
The above information is disclosed only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the disclosure, and may therefore contain information that does not constitute prior art.


A female terminal fitting (10) is provided with a tubular main portion (30), into which a mating male tab (70) is inserted along an axial center A from the front. A resilient contact piece (80) extends back in the main portion (30) and has a free end slidable on an inner surface of the main portion (30). The inner surface of the main portion (30) includes a first slide surface (51) aligned for permitting displacement of the free end of the resilient contact piece (80) while maintaining a uniform distance to the axial center (A) of the main portion (30) and a second slide surface (52) for permitting displacement of the free end of the resilient contact piece (80) while increasing the distance to the axial center (A) of the main portion (30).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a female terminal fitting.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,862 discloses a female terminal fitting with a tubular main portion that can receive a mating male tab inserted from the front and along the axial center of the main portion. A resiliently deformable contact piece extends back in the main portion and has a free end that slides on an inner surface of the main portion. An intermediate portion of the resilient contact piece is held in contact with a male tab inserted into the main portion. An inclined surface is formed on the inner surface of the main portion and enables the free end of the resilient contact piece to be displaced in a direction to extend a distance between the free end and the axial center of the main portion.
The ability of the free end of the resilient contact piece to slide on the inclined surface of the main portion in the above-described terminal fitting avoids a sudden increase of the insertion resistance of the male tab. However, a necessary contact pressure with the male tab is ensured by the sliding-down movement of the free end of the resilient contact piece on the inclined surface. Therefore the insertion stroke of the male tab is extended.
On the other hand, the extension of the insertion stroke of the male tab can be avoided by adopting a construction in which the horizontal inner surface of the main portion receives the free end of the resilient contact piece. However, in this case, the contact pressure suddenly increases due to frictional resistance between the free end of the resilient contact piece and the horizontal surface. Thus, as shown by a line Y in FIG. 4, a displacement width G of the contact portion of the resilient contact piece in a permissible range of the necessary contact pressure becomes smaller, thereby making gap management difficult.
The invention was developed in view of the above situation and an object thereof is to prevent the insertion stroke of a male tab from being extended and to facilitate gap management.


The invention relates to a plug connector device for telecommunication and data systems, comprising a plug connector 1 and a connector bank 30. The connector bank 30 is formed of a housing with insulation displacement contacts 31 connected each to switching contacts 6. The plug connector 1 comprises a housing 2 with a connector tongue 4 supported therein and has contact tracks 5 on either side which can be inserted between two switching contacts 5 opposed to each other of the connector bank 30. The exterior distance B of two contact tracks 5 being smaller than the interior distance A between two stitching contacts 6.. The plug connector 1 is provided such that there is no abrasion between the contact tracks 5 of the plug connector 1 and the switching contacts 5 of the connector bank 30 during the insert procedure. After the insert procedure, a contact connection with a sufficiently high contact force is established between the contact tracks 5 and the switching contacts 6. The contact tracks 5 of the plug connector 1 are formed as free contact strips 7 supported in the housing 2. The connector tongue 4 is mounted slidably in the housing 2 and is movable between the contacts strips 7, such that the contact strips 7 can be spread in the direction of the switching contacts 6 for establishing a contact connection.

The invention relates to a plug connector device for telecommunication and data systems including a plug connector and a connector bank. The connector bank includes cutting/clamping contact elements which are each connected to a switching contact. Opposed switching contact members form a switching contact gap. A plug connector is provided for establishing a contact connection with the switching contacts.
A plug connector of this kind is known in the art from U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,193. In this plug connector device, the plug connector comprises a connector tongue to be inserted between switching contacts. Contact tracks are provided on either side of the connector tongue. The interior distance between the two opposed switching contacts is made larger than the exterior distance of the contact tracks applied on the connector tongue. The contact connection between the switching contacts and the contact tracks is effected only shortly before the end of the insert procedure. For this purpose, there is supported slidably in the connector bank an engaging piece provided with pins. When inserting the connector tongue into the engaging piece, the switching contacts are pressed on the contact tracks by means of the pins. However, prior to the connector being inserted into its final position, such that the pins press the switching contacts on the contact tracks with a sufficient pressure force, the switching contacts will already scrape over the contact tracks of the connector. Accordingly, in the area of the contact location, an abrasion of the surface of the contact tracks will be effected, and, thus, in particular for multiple plugging actions, the electrical contact properties will be affected.
As the pins press the switching contacts from outside on the contact tracks, the distances of two pins relative to each other, for two opposed switching contacts, and relative to the longitudinal center axis must be accurately maintained in order that the switching contacts are pressed on the contact tracks under a uniform pressure force.

Plug connector device for telecommunication and data systems


A radiation-sensitive resin composition excelling in basic properties as a resist such as sensitivity, resolution, and the like, having a wide depth of focus (DOF) to both a line-and-space pattern and an isolated space pattern, and exhibiting a minimal line width change due to fluctuation of a bake temperature, and having a small line width limit in which the line pattern destroying phenomenon does not occur, and a lactone-containing copolymer useful as a resin component of the composition are provided.

In the field of microfabrication represented by the manufacture of integrated circuit devices, lithographic technology enabling microfabrication with a line width of about 200 nm or less using short wavelength radiations such as an ArF excimer laser (wavelength: 193 nm), F2 excimer laser (wavelength: 157 nm), and the like has been demanded in order to increase the degree of integration in recent years.
As a resist material applicable to such short wavelength radiations, a number of chemical amplification-type radiation-sensitive resin compositions utilizing a chemical amplification effect between a resin component having an acid-dissociable functional group and a photoacid generator which generates an acid upon irradiation with radiations has been proposed. In recent years, radiation-sensitive resin compositions using a copolymer having two or more types of (meth)acrylic recurring units with different lactone structures as a resin component have been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).    Patent Document 1 JP-A-2003-5375    Patent Document 2 JP-A-2003-252933
However, when a still higher degree of integrity is demanded in the field of an integrated circuit element, radiation-sensitive resin compositions are severely required to exhibit various properties, not to mention of basic properties as a resist such as sensitivity and resolution. In particular, strong demands in recent years include a wide common depth of focus (common DOF) to a line-and-space pattern, an isolated line pattern, and/or an isolated space pattern, a minimal line width change due to fluctuation of the bake temperature, and the like.
However, these performances are intricately related to a radiation-sensitive resin composition as well as to a photoacid generator component, additives, and the like. Furthermore, the relation between a chemical structure and characteristics as a resist of the resin component is complicated. Even if a specific resin component is selected, it is extremely difficult to anticipate properties as a resist or to develop a resist that can satisfy the required performance.

Lactone copolymer and radiation-sensitive resin composition

Abstract: The lactone-containing copolymer is represented by a copolymer of the following compounds (1-1), (2-1), and (3-1).

Abstract: The radiation-sensitive resin composition comprises (a) the lactone-containing copolymer and (b) a photoacid generator.


Methods, systems, programs, and apparatus for the easy, bi-directional transfer of any number of files or directories of files between computer systems, over a LAN, without the need for an Internet connection, preexistence or presence of special or specific software on more than one computer (the “host”) in the transaction, or prior knowledge of the platforms or operating systems of more than one (the “host”) of the computers constituting an endpoint in the abovementioned transfer.

One of the most common tasks performed by computer users is the transfer of one or more files between two or more computers. This currently may be achieved through specialized hardware, such as a portable USB flash drive, or through software. Software for this purpose can be divided into three main categories: those which are "Peer-to-Peer" (P2P) programs (e.g., programs which use the BitTorrent protocol), those which employ Client-Server architecture (e.g., HTTP and FTP files servers), and "Cloud Programs." Technically, Cloud Programs fall into the Client Server category, but are distinguished here due to their need for Internet connectivity, whereas the first two categories can function on a LAN alone, i.e., without requiring Internet connectivity.
These programs suffer from at least one, or some combination of the following problems: they require an Internet connection, they require special or specific software to be installed on all computers taking part in the transfer—prior to the transfer, and/or they allow only for unidirectional transfers. Additionally, these programs are typically limited by the unavailability of necessary software on certain operating systems or platforms, or are cumbersome or difficult to install or set up. Another limitation is that some of these programs require at least three nodes in a network to effectuate a file transfer, where at least one node performs server/controller functions such as, e.g., coordinating communication, data transfer, and/or protocol conversion and the like, to allow a file exchange between two other nodes.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A chemical battery, comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a gel electrolyte containing a crosslinked body and an electrolyte, the crosslinked body being obtained by crosslinking at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an epoxy compound having an alicyclic structure and at least one epoxy group in a single molecule and an alicyclic epoxy resin.

The present invention relates to a gel electrolyte precursor, a chemical battery comprising a gel electrolyte obtained from the gel electrolyte precursor, and a method of manufacturing the chemical battery.
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, which is an example of the chemical battery, comprises an electrode group including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte held by the electrode group. Used as the positive electrode active material is, for example, a lithium-containing complex oxide. Also, the negative electrode is formed of, for example, lithium, a lithium alloy, or a carbonaceous material absorbing-desorbing lithium. On the other hand, a liquid nonaqueous electrolyte prepared by dissolving a lithium salt as an electrolyte in a nonaqueous solvent such as propylene carbonate or γ-butyrolactone is used as the nonaqueous electrolyte.
In recent years, it is required to increase the capacity of the battery, to make the battery thinner and to increase the active area of the battery in accordance with miniaturization, reduction in thickness and improvement in the performance of electronic appliances. It is proposed to use a film material such as a laminate film in place of a metal can as a vessel for housing the electrode group in an attempt to decrease the thickness of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and to make the secondary battery light in weight. In the case of using a film material, however, the liquid nonaqueous electrolyte tends to leak to the outside. Also, the distribution of the nonaqueous electrolyte within the electrode group tends to be nonuniform. As a result, a problem is generated that the cycle characteristics are lowered. In order to avoid the particular problem, it is studied to impart viscosity to the liquid nonaqueous electrolyte so as to lower the fluidity of the liquid nonaqueous electrolyte.
For example, Japanese Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. 61-23944 discloses a solid composition having an ionic conductivity, comprising an electrolyte consisting of ions of metals belonging to Group I and/or Group II of the Periodic Table, an organic high molecular weight compound having a relative dielectric constant smaller than 4, and an organic solvent having an excellent solubility in respect of the electrolyte and the organic high molecular weight compound noted above and also having a relative dielectric constant smaller than 10. It is disclosed that the solid composition having an ionic conductivity contains the electrolyte in an amount sufficient for imparting an ionic conductivity of at least about 10−10S·cm−1 to the composition and in an amount not larger than 90 mol % of the solid composition. It is also disclosed that it is desirable to use resins other than thermosetting resins as the organic high molecular weight compound. Particularly, it is disclosed that a satisfactory result can be obtained in the case of using as the organic high molecular weight compound a thermoplastic resin having a one dimensional structure such as polymethyl methacrylate.
However, the solid composition having an ionic conductivity, which is disclosed in the prior art quoted above, has an ionic conductivity of about 10-10 to 10−7S·cm−1, which is lower than that of the liquid nonaqueous electrolyte, and is not satisfactory in the electrochemical stability.

Chemical battery containing gel electrolyte based on crosslinked epoxy compound having an alicyclic structure


At a first stage of a pivotal movement of a lever, a housing-side boss slides in a fitting groove in the lever, and a fitting/disengagement projection is brought into abutting engagement with an engagement surface provided in a fitting/disengagement guide portion, and the boss is displaced to an abutment portion provided in the fitting groove. At a second stage of the pivotal movement, the lever is pivotally moved about the housing-side boss, and the fitting/disengagement projection is slid in and guided by the fitting/disengagement guide portion, so that a male connector can be completely fitted into a female connector.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a connector fitting structure in which a pair of female and male connectors are fitted together in a locked condition, and more particularly to the structure of a lever-type connector for effecting a fitting operation by pivotally moving a lever.
2. Related Art
Various conventional lever-type connectors are already known (see, for example, JP-A-2002-359028 Publication (Pages 5 to 6, FIGS. 2 and 3)). FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a lever-type connector disclosed in Patent Literature 1, showing a condition before a male housing is fitted in a female housing, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the lever-type connector of FIG. 17, showing a condition in which the male housing is fitted in the female housing.
Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, in the lever-type connector 100, a projecting portion 104 of the male housing 103 is engaged in an engagement hole 102 formed in a lever 101, so that the lever 101 is supported on the male housing so as to be pivotally moved about the projecting portion 104.
The lever 101, when pivotally moved, assists in the fitting movement of the male housing 103 into a female housing 105, and brings the two housings 103 and 105 into a fitted condition. Namely, the male housing 103 is inserted and fitted into a hood portion 106 of the female housing 105, and also a retaining projection 107 of the hood portion 106 is engaged with a retaining portion (not shown) of the lever 101, so that the two housings 103 and 105 are held in the fitted condition through the lever 101.
However, in the above conventional lever-type connector 100 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, when the lever 101 was pivotally moved so as to fit the two housings 103 and 105 together, the projecting portion 104 could not smoothly move within the engagement hole 102, thus inviting a problem that it was difficult to pivotally move the lever 101 smoothly in a stable manner. Another problem is that the radius of pivotal movement of the lever 101, as well as the force required for operating the lever, was increased.


Venting systems for use with fuel tank systems are described. An example venting system includes a membrane disposed within a vent line or an emission control component to form a passageway through the venting system. The membrane is coated with a hydrophobic material to substantially prevent the flow of liquid and permit the flow of vapors or gases through the passageway.

Many vehicles such as boats and other marine crafts have fuel systems that require venting. For example, venting a fuel tank equalizes the pressure in the tank by releasing fuel vapors and allowing atmospheric air to flow into the fuel tank so that the liquid fuel can be drawn from the tank via suction. Some venting systems employ a separate venting tube or line to vent the fuel tank, while other venting systems employ a venting tube in combination with a filling device. Although a separate vent tube prevents the buildup of fuel pressure within the tank, it does not prevent contamination of the environment as a result of unintentional overboard venting of liquid fuel, which frequently occurs when a marine fuel tank is being refueled due to fuel tank overfilling and/or due to splashing, sloshing or other fuel surges during boat movement. Additionally, separate vent tubes are prone to allow the ingress of water and other contaminates into the fuel stored in the tank, which can lead to engine damage.

Fuel venting systems having protective membranes


A method, system, and apparatus related to the field of background subtraction in images is disclosed. In particular, the method, system, and apparatus is related to determining whether pixel positions in an image frame of a video sequence belongs to a background or a foreground of a captured scene using a determined level of dynamics of the pixel position.

In video surveillance, it is important to be able to detect moving objects in a scene as captured in a video sequence. There are many tools for motion detection in videos. Some of them track objects frame by frame by following features in the video stream. Others compare a current frame with a static background frame, pixel by pixel. The latter is the basis of background subtraction which aims at extracting moving objects by detecting zones where significant change occurs. Moving objects are referred to as foreground while static objects are part of the background.
The separation of moving objects from the background is a complex problem, which becomes even more difficult if the background is dynamic, such as if there are swaying trees or water ripples in the background, or if the illumination varies. In particular, a dynamic background may result in that the number of false detections of moving objects increases.
A review of background subtraction methods is given in the text book "Background Modeling and Foreground Detection for Video Surveillance" (Editors: Thierry Bouwmans, Fatih Porikli, Benjamin Hoferlin, and Antoine Vacavant), CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, 2015. See for example chapters 1 and 7.
Background subtraction methods generally involve a comparison of a current frame of a video stream with a reference background frame or model, free of moving objects. By comparing an image to the background frame or model, a decision may be taken whether or not each pixel in the image belongs to the foreground or the background. In this way, the image may be divided into two complementary sets of pixels—the foreground and the background.
Background subtraction requires definition of an underlying background model and an update strategy to accommodate for background changes over time. Plenty of background models have been proposed in the literature. This includes parametric models (e.g., Gaussian distribution) and non-parametric models (e.g., sample-based models).
However, in order to achieve a correct separation between background and foreground, no matter of what approach to background modelling that is employed, areas of a scene representing multi-modal environment (which means that there is a high probability of pixel values representing these areas will change values between frames of the video sequence capturing the scene) need to be handled differently when it comes to determining whether the area represents background or foreground, compared to more static areas, due to the larger differences in image content (represented by pixel values) that will inherently exist between frames in these areas.
There is thus a need for improvements within this context.

Method, device and system for determining whether pixel positions in an image frame belong to a background or a foreground


In a communication network, an architecture for supporting secure communication network setup in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is provided. The architecture may be utilized in a configurator station or in a client station for establishing a secure communication setup between the client station and the corresponding WLAN. The architecture may comprise an input interface that may be configured by a user to interface with the user's hardware or software configuration buttons. The architecture may also comprise a finite state machine (FSM), a packet processor, and a Diffie-Hellman (DH) generator. The input interface, the FSM, the packet processor, and the DH generator may be associated with the secure communication setup process. The architecture may also comprise interfaces to communicate with a wireless driver and/or an Ethernet driver, and interfaces to communicate with persistent storage, such as non-volatile ready access memory (NVRAM).

Currently, with some conventional systems, setting up a wireless network generally requires significant interaction and technical knowledge on the part of a user setting up the network, especially when the user is configuring security options for the network. For computer savvy users, the tasks associated with setting up a wireless network can be time consuming. However, for inexperienced computer users, the tasks associated with setting up a wireless network can be more challenging and consumes significantly greater time than required by computer savvy users.
In general, 802.11-based networks require a significant amount of user interaction during the configuration process. Typically, with conventional 802.11-based networks, the user needs to configure a station (STA) to associate to an access point (AP), which may require a number of settings to be selected on the STA, and some knowledge of the default configuration of the AP. The user may then access an HTML-based menu on the new AP in order to set various configuration parameters, many of which are difficult for novice and for intermediate users to understand and set correctly. New APs generally start with a configuration that provides no network security, and which utilize a default network name (SSID) that is selected by the manufacturer such as, for example, "Manufacturer Name", "Default", or "wireless". With the proliferation of 802.11 networks, users often experience confusion and network problems when their new AP uses the same SSID as a neighboring AP. Mechanisms that simplify the tasks associated with the configuration process may reduce the time and/or the cost of setting up and/or expanding a wireless network.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Architecture for supporting secure communication network setup in a wireless local area network (WLAN)


An adaptive digital filter includes a filtering circuit and a coefficient renewal circuit. The filtering circuit has a coefficient a defined by a fundamental formula: a[n+1]=a[n]+β·e[n]·q[n]/p[n]. β is a number greater than 0 and smaller than 2, e[n] is a difference between the input and the output of the filter, and q[n] and p[n] are formulas. The renewal circuit calculates a renewal value of the coefficient a. The coefficient renewal circuit calculates 2m (m is an integer) greater than p[n] in the fundamental formula, and also calculates the renewal value of the coefficient a in accordance with an execution formula: a[n+1]=a[n]+β·e[n]·q[n]/2m in place of the fundamental formula.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a digital filter that passes a required frequency. In particular, the present invention relates to an adaptive digital filer provided with a coefficient renewal unit for minimizing the variation between input data and output data.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 17 shows a conventional adaptive digital filter (generally indicated by reference numeral 100) which includes an IIR (infinite impulse response) digital filter 101 and a coefficient controller 102 for controlling the coefficient a to determine the central frequency of the pass band of the filter. Whenever digital data (sampling data) x[n] is inputted to the filter 101, calculation is performed to determine a coefficient a[n+1] which minimizes the difference e[n]=x[n]−y[n], where y[n] is an output from the filter. The calculation result is used for the filter 101 when the next digital data x[n+1] is inputted to the filter. In this manner, it is possible to allow only a desired frequency f0 to pass through.
The renewal of the coefficient a[n+1] of the conventional filter 100 is performed in accordance with Formula (1) below:
                              a                                [                          n              +              1                        ]                          =                              a                                      [              n              ]                                +                                    β              ·                              e                                                  [                  n                  ]                                            ·                              u                                                  [                                      n                    -                    1                                    ]                                                                                u                                                        [                    n                    ]                                                  2                            +                                                u                                                        [                                          n                      -                      1                                        ]                                                  2                                                                        (        1        )
According to S. Haykin's 'Adaptive Filter Theory, 3rd ed. (published in 1996), when the factor β in Formula (1) satisfies 0<β<2, the renewal value a[n+1] of the coefficient a converges to a definite value.
FIG. 18 shows a circuit for calculating the coefficient a based on Formula (1). This coefficient calculating circuit includes a divisor calculator 103 (for determining the value of u[n]2+u[n−1]2), a dividend calculator 104 (for determining the value of e[n]·u[n−1]), a division circuit 105 (for determining the quotient (e[n]·u[n−1])/(u[n]2+u[n−1]2)), a multiplier 106 (for calculating the product of the factor β and the quotient calculated by the division circuit 105), and an adder 107 (for adding the previously calculated a[n] and the calculation result from the multiplier 106).
Such a technique as described above is disclosed in JP-A-H06-188683 and JP-B2-3092647, for example.
The coefficient controller 102 of the conventional filter has been found disadvantageous in that the coefficient a is calculated by Formula (1), which makes the arrangements of the division circuit 105 complex and large. Accordingly, the calculation time tends to be unduly long.
More specifically, when the coefficient renewal calculation is performed in accordance with Formula (1), it is possible to calculate an accurate renewal value a[n+1]. However, the expected function of the coefficient controller 102 is to calculate a definite coefficient with which only a single frequency f0 is allowed to pass the filter. Therefore, as long as the desired frequency filtering is attained, the coefficient renewal is not necessarily performed by Formula (1).
If Formula (1) could be replaced by a different formula which permits simple and high-speed digital processing, it would be possible to produce an adaptive digital filter with a simple and high-speed coefficient renewal circuit.